CVE-2019-7792 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
Adobe Acrobat and Reader products contain a critical use after free vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-7792 that affects multiple version ranges across different product lines. This vulnerability stems from improper memory management practices where the application continues to reference memory locations after they have been freed, creating a scenario where attackers can manipulate the freed memory to execute arbitrary code. The flaw exists in the handling of specific document objects within the PDF processing engine, particularly when parsing malformed or specially crafted PDF files that trigger the vulnerable code path.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-416, which describes the use of freed memory condition where a program accesses memory after it has been freed. The vulnerability manifests when the application processes certain PDF objects that contain malformed structures, causing the memory management system to free specific memory segments while the application still maintains references to them. This creates a race condition where an attacker can overwrite the freed memory with malicious data, effectively allowing code execution with the privileges of the compromised application. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it can be triggered through simple document opening, making it an ideal candidate for phishing attacks and remote exploitation scenarios.
The operational impact of CVE-2019-7792 extends beyond typical exploitation vectors as it provides attackers with a reliable path to achieve arbitrary code execution on targeted systems. This capability allows threat actors to escalate privileges, install persistent backdoors, or deploy additional malware payloads without requiring user interaction beyond opening a malicious document. The vulnerability affects multiple Adobe Acrobat and Reader versions, including the 2019, 2017, and 2015 release lines, indicating a widespread exposure across the product portfolio. Security researchers have documented that exploitation of this vulnerability can result in complete system compromise, making it a high-priority target for both nation-state actors and cybercriminal organizations.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigation strategies including deploying the latest security patches from Adobe, which address the memory management issues in the affected versions. System administrators should also consider implementing document validation controls and sandboxing mechanisms to limit the potential impact of exploitation attempts. Network segmentation and email filtering solutions should be enhanced to prevent delivery of potentially malicious PDF attachments. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of keeping software updated and implementing defense-in-depth strategies, as outlined in the MITRE ATT&CK framework where such memory corruption vulnerabilities are categorized under techniques that enable code execution and privilege escalation. Organizations should also conduct regular vulnerability assessments and penetration testing to identify similar memory management flaws that may exist in other applications within their environment.