CVE-2019-7787 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, 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 version ranges 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. This vulnerability stems from improper input validation within the PDF processing engine where the application fails to properly bounds-check array accesses when parsing maliciously crafted PDF documents. The flaw resides in the handling of embedded objects and streams within PDF files, specifically when the software attempts to read data beyond the allocated memory boundaries. This type of vulnerability is classified as CWE-129, which represents insufficient validation of length of inputs, and falls under the broader category of buffer over-read conditions that can lead to information disclosure and potentially more severe consequences.
The exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when a malicious actor crafts a specially designed PDF file that triggers the out-of-bounds read condition during document parsing. When an unsuspecting user opens such a crafted document, the application's memory management fails to validate the bounds of array accesses, causing the program to read memory locations that may contain sensitive data from adjacent memory regions. This information disclosure can potentially expose encryption keys, user credentials, system memory contents, or other confidential information that resides in the memory space adjacent to the vulnerable code execution path. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it can be triggered through simple document opening actions, making it an attractive target for social engineering attacks and remote code execution attempts.
The operational impact of CVE-2019-7787 extends beyond simple information disclosure to encompass potential system compromise and data breaches. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to extract sensitive information from memory, which may include session tokens, passwords, or other authentication credentials that could be used for further attacks within the compromised environment. The vulnerability affects widely deployed software across enterprise networks, making it a prime target for nation-state actors and cybercriminals seeking to establish persistent access to critical systems. Organizations running affected versions of Adobe Acrobat and Reader face significant risk exposure, particularly in environments where PDF documents are frequently exchanged and processed. The vulnerability's impact is amplified by the fact that it can be triggered through email attachments, web downloads, or file sharing platforms without requiring any special privileges or user interaction beyond opening the malicious document.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigation strategies including updating to the latest versions of Adobe Acrobat and Reader that contain patches for this vulnerability. The affected versions should be immediately quarantined from production environments and users should be instructed to avoid opening untrusted PDF documents until updates are deployed. Network-based mitigations such as PDF content filtering and sandboxing solutions can provide additional protection layers while waiting for official patches to be installed. Security teams should monitor for indicators of compromise related to this vulnerability and implement enhanced logging for PDF processing activities to detect potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability's classification as a remote code execution risk through information disclosure means that organizations should also review their incident response procedures to ensure rapid detection and remediation of potential exploitation. Additionally, implementing principle of least privilege access controls and regular security assessments can help reduce the overall risk exposure associated with this and similar vulnerabilities.