CVE-2019-7780 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 version, 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 PDF parsing engine where the software fails to properly bounds-check array accesses when processing maliciously crafted PDF files. The flaw allows an attacker to manipulate memory access patterns that exceed the allocated buffer boundaries, potentially enabling unauthorized data retrieval from adjacent memory locations. The vulnerability is classified as CWE-125: Out-of-bounds Read according to the Common Weakness Enumeration catalog, which specifically addresses situations where software reads data past the end of a buffer or array. When exploited, this vulnerability can lead to information disclosure as the out-of-bounds read may expose sensitive data such as memory contents, encryption keys, or other confidential information stored in adjacent memory regions.
The operational impact of CVE-2019-7780 extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it represents a fundamental memory safety issue that can serve as a precursor to more severe exploitation techniques. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability through crafted PDF documents delivered via email attachments, malicious websites, or compromised document repositories. The attack surface is particularly broad given that Adobe Acrobat and Reader are widely deployed across enterprise environments and individual workstations. Security researchers have identified that the vulnerability can be triggered through various PDF parsing operations including but not limited to image processing, font handling, and embedded object management. The exploitability of this vulnerability is enhanced by the fact that PDF documents are commonly opened automatically by default in many environments, making user interaction minimal or non-existent. This makes the vulnerability particularly dangerous in targeted attack scenarios where adversaries can remotely compromise systems simply by delivering malicious PDF content.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2019-7780 should prioritize immediate patch management and application updates from Adobe. Organizations must ensure all affected versions of Adobe Acrobat and Reader are updated to the latest available releases that contain fixes for this vulnerability. Additionally, network-based mitigations such as PDF content filtering and sandboxing mechanisms can provide additional layers of protection. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of implementing robust input validation and memory safety practices in document processing software, aligning with ATT&CK technique T1203: Exploitation for Client Execution which covers methods that leverage application vulnerabilities to execute code or extract data. Security teams should also consider implementing email filtering policies that block suspicious PDF attachments and monitor for unusual PDF file access patterns. Organizations may also benefit from deploying endpoint detection and response solutions that can identify anomalous behavior patterns associated with memory corruption exploits. The vulnerability underscores the critical need for regular security assessments of document processing applications and adherence to secure coding practices that prevent out-of-bounds memory access conditions.