CVE-2019-7765 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 a use after free vulnerability. Successful exploitation could lead to arbitrary code execution.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/17/2024
Adobe Acrobat and Reader applications contain a critical use after free vulnerability that affects multiple version ranges including 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. This vulnerability falls under the CWE-416 category of use after free conditions, where memory that has been freed is accessed or reused by subsequent operations. The flaw occurs when the application processes certain PDF files that trigger improper memory management during object deallocation. When an attacker crafts a malicious PDF document containing specially constructed data structures, the application's memory management routines may free a memory block while references to that block still exist in the program's execution flow. This creates a scenario where subsequent operations attempt to access or modify memory that has already been deallocated, leading to unpredictable behavior and potential code execution.
The exploitation of this vulnerability enables remote attackers to achieve arbitrary code execution on affected systems with the privileges of the user running the vulnerable application. Attackers can deliver malicious PDF files through various attack vectors including email attachments, web downloads, or compromised websites. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it allows for privilege escalation and can be leveraged to execute malicious payloads without user interaction once the PDF is opened. The use after free condition creates a memory corruption vulnerability that can be exploited through return-oriented programming or jump-oriented programming techniques to redirect execution flow. This type of vulnerability is classified under the ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter, where attackers can execute arbitrary commands through the compromised application.
The impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution as it can lead to complete system compromise when combined with other attack techniques. Organizations running affected versions of Adobe Acrobat and Reader face significant risk of data breaches, malware installation, and persistent backdoor access. The vulnerability affects both desktop and mobile platforms, making it a widespread concern for enterprise environments. System administrators should note that this vulnerability can be exploited in targeted attacks against specific users or organizations, particularly those handling sensitive documents. The memory corruption nature of the vulnerability means that exploitation can be unreliable in some cases but remains a serious threat due to its potential for privilege escalation.
Organizations should immediately update to the latest versions of Adobe Acrobat and Reader where this vulnerability has been patched. Adobe released security updates for all affected versions, and administrators should implement these patches as a priority. Additional mitigations include implementing strict PDF file validation policies, using sandboxing techniques to isolate PDF processing, and deploying network-based security controls such as web application firewalls that can detect and block malicious PDF content. Email filtering solutions should be configured to scan PDF attachments for suspicious content patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts. Network segmentation and privileged access controls should be enforced to limit the potential damage from successful exploitation attempts. The vulnerability highlights the importance of keeping third-party software updated and maintaining comprehensive patch management procedures across all endpoints. Security monitoring should include detection of unusual PDF processing activities and potential exploitation attempts through memory corruption indicators.