CVE-2019-7790 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 resides in the handling of PDF file parsing operations where the software fails to properly validate array indices before accessing memory locations. The flaw manifests when processing maliciously crafted PDF documents that contain malformed data structures which cause the application to read memory beyond the allocated buffer boundaries. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-129, which specifically addresses insufficient validation of length of input buffers, and represents a classic example of improper input validation leading to memory safety issues. The out-of-bounds read condition occurs during the parsing of PDF objects where the software attempts to access array elements using an index that exceeds the array's actual size, potentially resulting in the exposure of sensitive information stored in adjacent memory locations. This vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it can be exploited through social engineering attacks where users are tricked into opening malicious PDF files, making it a prime target for targeted attacks and zero-day exploitation. The information disclosure aspect of this vulnerability means that attackers could potentially extract confidential data such as memory contents, encryption keys, or other sensitive information from the application's memory space. The exploitation of this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for execution through Portable Document Format files and T1566 for initial access via spearphishing attachments. The impact of successful exploitation extends beyond simple information disclosure as it can provide attackers with footholds for further compromise, potentially leading to complete system compromise. Organizations running affected versions of Adobe Acrobat and Reader should immediately implement patch management procedures to upgrade to the latest versions that contain the necessary memory validation fixes. Additionally, network security controls such as email filtering and web proxies should be configured to block suspicious PDF attachments and prevent users from accessing potentially malicious documents. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper input validation in security-critical applications and serves as a reminder of the ongoing need for robust memory safety practices in software development. Security professionals should monitor for indicators of compromise related to PDF-based attacks and maintain awareness of similar vulnerabilities in other document processing applications that may present similar attack vectors through the exploitation of buffer overflow and out-of-bounds read conditions.