CVE-2019-7772 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 contain a critical use after free vulnerability that affects multiple versions across different release cycles. This vulnerability stems from improper memory management within the software's handling of object references, creating a scenario where memory allocated to an object is freed but the application continues to reference that memory location. The flaw exists in the way the software manages memory allocation and deallocation processes, particularly when processing malformed PDF files. According to CWE-416, this represents a classic use after free condition where a program accesses memory after it has been freed, potentially leading to unpredictable behavior. The vulnerability manifests when the application processes maliciously crafted PDF content that triggers the improper memory handling sequence.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution to encompass potential system compromise and data exfiltration. Attackers can exploit this weakness by crafting specially designed PDF documents that, when opened by vulnerable versions of Adobe Acrobat or Reader, trigger the use after free condition. This allows malicious actors to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the user running the application. The attack surface is broad given the widespread deployment of Adobe Reader across enterprise environments and individual workstations. When successfully exploited, the vulnerability can lead to complete system compromise, as demonstrated in various threat actor campaigns targeting the Adobe ecosystem. The vulnerability's exploitation aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter and T1068 for exploit for privilege escalation.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate patching of affected versions to address the underlying memory management flaws. Organizations should prioritize updating to the latest versions of Adobe Acrobat and Reader, specifically targeting versions released after the vulnerability disclosure. System administrators should implement network segmentation and application whitelisting to limit the potential impact of exploitation attempts. Additional protective measures include deploying sandboxing solutions for PDF processing and implementing strict email filtering to prevent malicious PDF attachments from reaching end users. The vulnerability highlights the importance of regular security updates and the risks associated with legacy software deployments. Security teams should monitor for exploitation attempts through network traffic analysis and endpoint detection systems, as the use after free condition often produces detectable patterns in memory access behavior. Organizations should also consider implementing zero trust principles for PDF handling and establish incident response procedures specifically addressing Adobe vulnerability exploitation scenarios.