CVE-2019-7086 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 type confusion vulnerability. Successful exploitation could lead to arbitrary code execution .
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/19/2024
Adobe Acrobat and Reader applications contain a type confusion vulnerability that affects multiple versions including 2019.010.20069 and earlier, 2017.011.30113 and earlier, and 2015.006.30464 and earlier. This vulnerability arises from improper handling of object types during memory operations, creating conditions where the software incorrectly interprets data as different types than intended. The flaw allows attackers to manipulate memory structures in ways that bypass normal type checking mechanisms, leading to potential exploitation scenarios. This type confusion vulnerability falls under the CWE-466 category, which specifically addresses the issue of returning a pointer to a data structure that is not of the expected type. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it can be leveraged to execute arbitrary code on affected systems. Attackers can craft malicious PDF documents that trigger the type confusion when the vulnerable software processes the file, potentially allowing remote code execution. This vulnerability represents a critical security risk as it enables attackers to gain unauthorized access to systems running vulnerable versions of Adobe Acrobat or Reader. The exploitation requires the user to open a specially crafted malicious document, making it a typical attack vector for social engineering campaigns. The vulnerability affects both desktop and mobile versions of the software, expanding the potential attack surface. Organizations using these applications should consider the ATT&CK framework's technique T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter, as successful exploitation could allow attackers to execute commands on compromised systems. The vulnerability demonstrates a fundamental flaw in memory management and object type handling within Adobe's software architecture, highlighting the importance of proper input validation and type safety mechanisms. This issue has been classified as a high-severity vulnerability due to its potential for remote code execution and the widespread use of Adobe Acrobat and Reader across enterprise environments. The affected versions represent a significant portion of the user base, making this vulnerability particularly concerning for organizations that have not yet updated their software. Security researchers have noted that the vulnerability can be triggered through various document parsing operations, making it difficult to defend against through simple network filtering. The type confusion allows attackers to manipulate memory pointers and execute malicious code with the privileges of the user running the vulnerable application. This makes the vulnerability particularly attractive for attackers seeking to establish persistent access to target systems. Organizations should implement immediate patching strategies and consider network segmentation to limit the potential impact of successful exploitation attempts. The vulnerability underscores the need for robust software development practices and regular security assessments to identify similar type confusion issues in other applications. Proper input sanitization and memory management techniques could prevent this class of vulnerability from occurring in future software releases. The exploitation of this vulnerability requires minimal user interaction beyond opening the malicious document, making it a particularly effective attack vector for phishing campaigns and targeted attacks against specific organizations. Security professionals should monitor for indicators of compromise related to this vulnerability and implement appropriate detection measures within their network security infrastructure. The widespread deployment of affected software versions means that many organizations may be unknowingly exposed to this risk, emphasizing the importance of proactive vulnerability management and software update procedures. This vulnerability exemplifies the challenges faced by security teams in protecting against complex memory-related flaws that can be exploited remotely without requiring elevated privileges. The affected software platforms represent critical components in many enterprise workflows, making the potential impact of this vulnerability substantial. Organizations should prioritize updating to patched versions of Adobe Acrobat and Reader to mitigate the risk of exploitation and protect against potential attacks targeting this specific vulnerability. The vulnerability's presence in multiple versions of the software indicates a persistent issue in Adobe's development practices that requires attention to prevent similar problems in future releases.