CVE-2019-7764 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 version, 2017.011.30138 and earlier, 2015.006.30495 and earlier, and 2015.006.30493 and earlier have a use after free 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 • 06/17/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-7764 represents a critical use-after-free flaw affecting multiple versions of Adobe Acrobat and Reader software. This vulnerability falls under the Common Weakness Enumeration category CWE-416, which specifically addresses the use of freed memory conditions that can lead to unpredictable behavior and potential exploitation by malicious actors. The affected versions span across several major releases including 2019.010.20100 and earlier, 2017.011.30140 and earlier, and 2015.006.30495 and earlier, indicating this flaw has persisted across multiple software iterations and represents a significant security gap in Adobe's document processing capabilities.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from improper memory management within the affected Adobe software applications. When a program allocates memory for objects and subsequently frees that memory, proper programming practices require that all references to that memory location be invalidated. However, in the case of CVE-2019-7764, the software fails to properly handle memory deallocation, allowing attackers to potentially reuse freed memory blocks. This creates an opportunity for exploitation where malicious code can be injected into the memory space and executed with the privileges of the targeted application, typically resulting in arbitrary code execution.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and aligns with tactics documented in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under the execution phase. Successful exploitation could enable attackers to gain full control over the affected system, as the arbitrary code execution capability allows for the installation of backdoors, data exfiltration, or further lateral movement within a network. The vulnerability's presence in widely deployed software versions means that organizations using these applications face significant risk exposure, particularly in enterprise environments where Acrobat and Reader are commonly used for document review and processing. The exploitation of such vulnerabilities often results in persistent threats that can evade traditional security controls and remain undetected for extended periods.
Organizations should immediately implement mitigations including prompt patching of all affected Adobe Acrobat and Reader installations to the latest available versions. Additionally, network segmentation strategies should be employed to limit lateral movement potential, while application whitelisting can help prevent unauthorized execution of malicious payloads. Security teams should also monitor for indicators of compromise related to suspicious process execution and memory access patterns. The vulnerability's classification as a use-after-free issue underscores the importance of regular software updates and comprehensive vulnerability management programs, as these flaws often represent the most common attack vectors in enterprise security breaches.