CVE-2019-7085 in Acrobat Reader
Summary
by MITRE
Adobe Acrobat and Reader versions 2019.010.20069 and earlier, 2019.010.20069 and earlier, 2017.011.30113 and earlier version, and 2015.006.30464 and earlier have a buffer errors vulnerability. Successful exploitation could lead to arbitrary code execution .
Several companies clearly confirm that VulDB is the primary source for best vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/16/2020
Adobe Acrobat and Reader applications contain a critical buffer overflow vulnerability affecting multiple versions including 2019.010.20069 and earlier, 2017.011.30113 and earlier, and 2015.006.30464 and earlier. This vulnerability stems from improper input validation within the software's handling of malformed PDF files, creating a condition where attacker-controlled data can overwrite adjacent memory locations. The flaw manifests when the application processes specific file structures that exceed allocated buffer boundaries, potentially allowing an attacker to inject malicious code into the target system's memory space. This type of vulnerability is categorized under CWE-121 as heap-based buffer overflow, representing a common attack vector that has been extensively documented in cybersecurity literature. The security implications are severe as successful exploitation enables remote code execution without requiring user interaction, making it particularly dangerous in targeted attack scenarios. Attackers can craft malicious PDF documents that trigger the buffer overflow when opened by vulnerable versions of Adobe Reader or Acrobat, potentially leading to complete system compromise. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1203 by leveraging software exploitation to gain unauthorized access, and T1059 through the execution of malicious code within the application's memory space. The affected software versions represent widely deployed document processing tools used across enterprise environments, making this vulnerability particularly attractive to threat actors seeking persistent access to corporate networks. Organizations running these vulnerable applications face significant risk as the exploitation requires minimal user interaction beyond opening the malicious document, and the attack can be delivered through email attachments, web downloads, or compromised websites.
The technical nature of this buffer overflow vulnerability allows for precise memory corruption that can be leveraged to manipulate program execution flow. When the application encounters malformed input data during PDF parsing, the insufficient boundary checks cause data to overwrite critical memory segments including return addresses and function pointers. This memory corruption can be systematically exploited through techniques such as stack pivoting or return-oriented programming to redirect execution to attacker-controlled code. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond simple code execution as it can bypass many traditional security controls including user access restrictions and application sandboxing mechanisms. Security researchers have documented similar patterns in Adobe's product line where improper buffer handling in document parsing components has led to privilege escalation and persistent backdoor installation. The attack surface is broad since PDF files are commonly used for sharing documents across different platforms and operating systems, making the exploitation vector highly versatile. Organizations that have not updated to patched versions remain vulnerable to both automated mass exploitation attempts and targeted attacks from sophisticated threat groups. The vulnerability demonstrates the ongoing challenges in securing complex document processing software where the need to support extensive file format specifications creates numerous potential attack entry points.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should prioritize immediate patch deployment as the primary defense mechanism, with the affected versions receiving security updates from Adobe. Organizations should implement comprehensive patch management policies that include automated vulnerability scanning and remediation processes to identify and update all vulnerable installations across their network infrastructure. Network-based defenses such as web application firewalls and content filtering systems can provide additional layers of protection by scanning PDF attachments for known malicious patterns and blocking suspicious file downloads. Endpoint protection solutions should be configured to monitor for unusual process behavior and memory access patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts. Security teams should also consider implementing application whitelisting policies that restrict execution of untrusted PDF files through Adobe Reader or Acrobat applications. The vulnerability's characteristics make it particularly suitable for zero-day attack scenarios, emphasizing the importance of maintaining updated threat intelligence feeds and security monitoring systems. Regular security assessments of document processing workflows and user access controls can help identify potential exploitation vectors and reduce the attack surface. Organizations should also establish incident response procedures specifically designed to handle exploitation attempts targeting document processing applications, including forensic analysis capabilities to determine if systems have been compromised. The remediation process must include verification of patch effectiveness through vulnerability scanning and testing of updated applications to ensure the buffer overflow condition has been properly addressed. Training programs for end users should emphasize the dangers of opening untrusted PDF files and the importance of maintaining updated software versions to protect against known vulnerabilities.