CVE-2019-7113 in Acrobat Reader
Summary
by MITRE
Adobe Acrobat and Reader versions 2019.010.20098 and earlier, 2019.010.20098 and earlier, 2017.011.30127 and earlier version, and 2015.006.30482 and earlier have a heap overflow vulnerability. Successful exploitation could lead to arbitrary code execution .
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/18/2024
Adobe Acrobat and Reader applications contain a critical heap overflow vulnerability that affects multiple versions including 2019.010.20098 and earlier, 2017.011.30127 and earlier, and 2015.006.30482 and earlier. This vulnerability resides in the handling of malformed PDF files and represents a classic heap-based buffer overflow condition that occurs when the software processes untrusted input without proper bounds checking. The flaw manifests when the application attempts to allocate memory on the heap for processing PDF objects, particularly in the parsing of embedded content or malformed data structures that exceed allocated buffer boundaries.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves improper memory management during PDF file parsing operations where the application fails to validate the size of incoming data before copying it into fixed-size memory buffers. When an attacker crafts a malicious PDF file containing oversized data structures or malformed objects, the vulnerable code executes a memory copy operation that overflows the allocated heap space, potentially overwriting adjacent memory locations including function pointers, return addresses, or other critical program state information. This type of vulnerability maps directly to CWE-121 Heap-based Buffer Overflow, which is classified as a serious weakness in memory safety and represents a common attack vector for privilege escalation and remote code execution.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple arbitrary code execution to encompass full system compromise when exploited successfully. An attacker could deliver a malicious PDF file through various attack vectors including email attachments, web downloads, or compromised websites, where the victim's system would automatically process the file upon opening. The heap overflow could be leveraged to overwrite critical program execution flow, allowing attackers to inject and execute malicious code with the privileges of the affected user. This vulnerability particularly affects enterprise environments where Adobe Reader is commonly used for document review and processing, making it a prime target for targeted attacks. The attack surface is broad since PDF files are frequently shared across organizations and are often automatically opened by default applications.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should include immediate patching of affected versions to the latest Adobe Acrobat and Reader releases, which contain memory safety improvements and bounds checking mechanisms. Organizations should implement strict PDF file validation policies and consider deploying sandboxing technologies to isolate PDF processing operations from critical system resources. Network-based defenses such as web application firewalls and email filtering systems can help prevent delivery of malicious PDF files, while endpoint protection solutions should be configured to monitor for suspicious file execution patterns. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of adhering to ATT&CK framework tactics including T1203 Exploitation for Client Execution and T1059 Command and Scripting Interpreter, where attackers leverage software vulnerabilities to establish persistent access. Regular security assessments and vulnerability management programs should prioritize identification and remediation of similar heap-based buffer overflow conditions in other software applications to prevent similar exploitation opportunities.