CVE-2019-7789 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 • 09/17/2023
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 parsing functionality where the application fails to properly bounds-check array indices when processing maliciously crafted PDF documents. The flaw manifests when the software attempts to read data from memory locations beyond the allocated buffer boundaries, potentially exposing sensitive information stored in adjacent memory segments.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability falls under CWE-129, which specifically addresses improper validation of array indices, and is classified as a memory safety issue within the context of software security. When an attacker crafts a malicious PDF file containing malformed array references, the vulnerable application will attempt to access memory locations that may contain confidential data such as encryption keys, user credentials, or system information. This type of vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it can be exploited through social engineering attacks where users unknowingly open malicious documents, making it a prime target for advanced persistent threats.
The operational impact of CVE-2019-7789 extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it can serve as a foothold for more sophisticated attacks within targeted environments. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to extract sensitive data from memory, potentially compromising user sessions, corporate intellectual property, or system configurations. The vulnerability's widespread presence across multiple Adobe Acrobat and Reader versions creates extensive attack surface, affecting organizations that have not yet updated their software deployments. Security analysts note that this flaw aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for execution through Portable Document Format files, making it particularly relevant for enterprise security teams managing document-based attack vectors.
Organizations should immediately implement mitigation strategies including mandatory software updates to the latest Adobe Acrobat and Reader versions, deployment of network intrusion detection systems to monitor for suspicious PDF file activity, and user education regarding the risks of opening untrusted documents. Additionally, implementing application whitelisting policies that restrict PDF file execution to trusted sources can significantly reduce exploitation risk. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date software patches and proper security hygiene practices in enterprise environments where document processing applications remain widely used across business operations and communication channels.