CVE-2019-7775 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 • 06/13/2024
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 processing engine that handles pdf file parsing operations. The flaw occurs when the application attempts to read memory locations beyond the allocated buffer boundaries during the processing of malformed pdf documents. The vulnerability manifests as an out-of-bounds read condition that can be triggered through crafted malicious pdf files delivered via social engineering attacks or compromised websites. According to cwe-125, this represents a classic out-of-bounds read vulnerability where the application fails to properly validate array indices or buffer limits before accessing memory locations. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it can be exploited remotely without requiring user interaction beyond opening the malicious document, making it a prime candidate for zero-day exploitation campaigns.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the pdf parsing engine failing to properly validate the length of data structures within pdf objects before attempting to read from memory regions. When processing pdf files with malformed or specially crafted data structures, the application's memory management routines attempt to access memory locations that are outside the valid bounds of allocated buffers. This can result in the disclosure of sensitive information from adjacent memory locations, potentially including stack contents, heap data, or other application memory segments. The out-of-bounds read operation can expose system memory contents that may contain authentication tokens, cryptographic keys, or other sensitive data, making this vulnerability particularly dangerous for enterprise environments where pdf documents are frequently processed. The vulnerability can be leveraged by attackers to gain insights into the application's memory layout and potentially aid in more sophisticated exploitation techniques.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it can serve as a stepping stone for more advanced attacks. The information disclosure aspect alone can provide attackers with critical insights into the application's memory structure, potentially enabling them to bypass security mitigations such as address space layout randomization or stack canaries. This vulnerability can be weaponized in combination with other exploits to achieve remote code execution, making it a significant threat to organizations that rely heavily on pdf document processing. The vulnerability affects multiple versions of Adobe Acrobat and Reader, indicating a widespread exposure across different product release cycles. According to att&ck technique t1203, this vulnerability could be used as part of a reconnaissance phase to gather intelligence about the target environment. The impact is particularly severe in enterprise environments where users regularly open pdf files from untrusted sources, creating numerous potential attack vectors.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on immediate patching of affected versions and implementation of additional security controls. Organizations should prioritize updating to the latest versions of Adobe Acrobat and Reader that contain the necessary security fixes, as Adobe has released patches addressing this specific vulnerability. Network-based mitigations can include pdf file filtering at perimeter defenses, preventing potentially malicious documents from entering the network. Additional controls such as sandboxing pdf processing operations and implementing strict file validation policies can help reduce the attack surface. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of principle of least privilege in pdf processing environments, ensuring that pdf rendering processes operate with minimal required permissions. Regular security assessments of document processing workflows and user training on recognizing suspicious pdf files should be implemented as part of comprehensive security programs. Organizations should also consider implementing automated patch management systems to ensure timely deployment of security updates across all affected systems.