CVE-2019-7784 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 double free vulnerability. Successful exploitation could lead to arbitrary code execution.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/17/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-7784 represents a critical double free flaw in Adobe Acrobat and Reader software across multiple version ranges including 2019.010.20100 and earlier, 2017.011.30140 and earlier, and 2015.006.30495 and earlier. This vulnerability falls under the CWE-415 category of double free conditions, where a program attempts to free the same memory block twice, potentially leading to memory corruption and arbitrary code execution. The flaw manifests in the handling of PDF objects within the software's memory management system, specifically when processing malformed or specially crafted PDF files. The double free vulnerability occurs when the application's memory allocator receives multiple free operations on the same memory address, creating a state where subsequent memory allocations may be corrupted or manipulated by an attacker.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple memory corruption, as it creates opportunities for privilege escalation and remote code execution attacks. When an attacker successfully exploits this double free condition, they can manipulate the heap memory layout to overwrite critical data structures or function pointers, ultimately allowing for arbitrary code execution with the privileges of the affected user. This vulnerability is particularly dangerous because Adobe Acrobat and Reader are widely deployed across enterprise environments and personal computing systems, making exploitation opportunities abundant. The vulnerability's presence in multiple version lines demonstrates a persistent flaw in Adobe's memory management implementation that spans several years of product releases.
Security researchers have classified this vulnerability as a high-risk issue due to its potential for remote code execution without user interaction, as the double free occurs during PDF parsing operations. The exploitation process typically involves crafting a malicious PDF file that triggers the vulnerable memory management code path when the document is opened or processed by the affected software. This aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter, as attackers may leverage the arbitrary code execution capability to establish persistent access or escalate privileges. The vulnerability's exploitation requires sophisticated understanding of heap management and memory corruption techniques, making it a target for advanced persistent threat actors who seek to leverage such flaws for long-term access to compromised systems.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including applying the latest security patches from Adobe, which address the heap corruption issue through proper memory management controls and validation of PDF object handling. Network segmentation and application whitelisting can provide additional defense layers by restricting PDF file processing to trusted environments. Security monitoring should focus on detecting unusual PDF processing activities and memory allocation patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts. System administrators should consider disabling PDF processing in web browsers and email clients where possible, as these are common attack vectors for delivering malicious PDF files. The vulnerability's remediation requires careful attention to ensure that patched versions properly handle all PDF object types and memory allocation sequences to prevent similar issues in future releases.