CVE-2019-7786 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 • 06/16/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-7786 represents a critical use after free flaw affecting multiple versions of Adobe Acrobat and Reader software. This vulnerability falls under the CWE-416 category, which specifically addresses the use of freed memory conditions that occur when a program continues to reference memory that has already been deallocated. The affected versions span across several release cycles 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, indicating a widespread issue affecting different product lines and release versions.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when the Adobe Acrobat or Reader application processes maliciously crafted PDF files that trigger improper memory management during object handling. When a program frees memory associated with an object and then continues to reference that memory location, it creates an opportunity for attackers to manipulate the freed memory space. This particular flaw manifests during the processing of PDF documents where the application fails to properly validate or manage object lifecycles, leading to scenarios where freed memory can be reallocated and potentially controlled by an attacker.
From an operational perspective, successful exploitation of CVE-2019-7786 could result in complete system compromise through arbitrary code execution. This represents a severe threat vector that aligns with the ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter and T1068 for exploit for privilege escalation. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond simple local code execution as it can potentially allow attackers to gain elevated privileges, install persistent backdoors, or establish full control over affected systems. The attack surface is particularly concerning given that PDF files are commonly used in email attachments, web downloads, and document sharing scenarios, making this vulnerability highly exploitable in real-world phishing campaigns and targeted attacks.
The exploitation process typically involves crafting a malicious PDF document that, when opened by an affected Adobe application, triggers the memory management error. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the user running the application, potentially leading to data exfiltration, system infiltration, or lateral movement within network environments. Organizations should consider implementing multiple layers of defense including email filtering, web application firewalls, and strict access controls to mitigate the risk associated with this vulnerability. Regular patch management and software updates form the primary defense mechanism against this threat, as Adobe has released patches to address the use after free condition in affected versions. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper memory management practices and highlights the need for continuous security testing and code review processes in software development lifecycle management.