CVE-2019-7142 in Acrobat Reader
Summary
by MITRE
Adobe Acrobat and Reader versions 2019.010.20100 and earlier, 2019.010.20099 and earlier, 2017.011.30140 and earlier, 2017.011.30138 and earlier, 2015.006.30495 and earlier, and 2015.006.30493 and earlier have an out-of-bounds read vulnerability. Successful exploitation could lead to information disclosure .
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/15/2024
Adobe Acrobat and Reader applications contain a critical out-of-bounds read vulnerability that affects multiple versions across different release cycles. This vulnerability stems from improper input validation within the document parsing mechanisms that process pdf files. The flaw manifests when the software attempts to read memory locations beyond the allocated buffer boundaries while processing malformed or specially crafted pdf documents. The vulnerability is classified as CWE-125 - Out-of-bounds Read according to the Common Weakness Enumeration catalog, which represents a fundamental memory safety issue where applications access memory regions that have not been allocated for the current operation.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when a maliciously crafted pdf document is opened within the affected Adobe applications. During the parsing process, the software's pdf parser fails to properly validate array indices or buffer sizes, allowing an attacker to manipulate the document structure to trigger memory access violations. This out-of-bounds read can potentially expose sensitive information stored in adjacent memory locations, including but not limited to authentication tokens, session data, or other confidential information that may be present in the application's memory space. The vulnerability does not directly enable arbitrary code execution but creates a condition where information disclosure can occur, potentially leading to further exploitation avenues.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it can provide attackers with valuable insights into the target system's memory layout and application state. Security researchers have noted that such information disclosure vulnerabilities can serve as a stepping stone for more sophisticated attacks, particularly when combined with other exploitation techniques or when the disclosed information reveals system-specific details that can be leveraged in subsequent attacks. The vulnerability affects a wide range of Adobe Acrobat and Reader versions, making it particularly concerning as many organizations continue to use legacy software versions. This widespread impact means that the vulnerability can be exploited across various environments, from enterprise networks to individual user workstations, potentially affecting thousands of systems.
Organizations should prioritize immediate remediation through patch management processes, ensuring that all affected versions of Adobe Acrobat and Reader are updated to the latest releases that contain the necessary security fixes. The mitigation strategy should include comprehensive vulnerability scanning to identify all affected systems within the organization's infrastructure, followed by systematic patch deployment across all endpoints. Additionally, implementing network-based security controls such as pdf content filtering and sandboxing mechanisms can provide additional layers of protection against exploitation attempts. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under the information disclosure tactic, specifically targeting the credential access and defense evasion sub-techniques where attackers may use information disclosure to gather intelligence for further attacks. Regular security awareness training for users on recognizing potentially malicious pdf files and implementing principle of least privilege access controls can also help reduce the overall risk exposure associated with this vulnerability.