CVE-2019-7804 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 version, 2015.006.30495 and earlier, and 2015.006.30493 and earlier have an out-of-bounds write vulnerability. Successful exploitation could lead to arbitrary code execution .
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/15/2024
Adobe Acrobat and Reader applications contain a critical out-of-bounds write vulnerability that affects multiple versions across different release cycles. This vulnerability stems from improper input validation within the software's handling of specific file formats, particularly those involving embedded objects or complex data structures. The flaw allows attackers to manipulate memory operations by writing data beyond the allocated buffer boundaries, creating a pathway for arbitrary code execution. The vulnerability is classified as CWE-787, which specifically addresses out-of-bounds writes in software systems, making it a prime target for exploitation in targeted attack campaigns.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs when the affected software processes maliciously crafted documents that contain specially formatted data structures. During parsing operations, the application fails to properly validate array indices or buffer limits before writing data to memory locations. This allows an attacker to overwrite adjacent memory regions with malicious code or pointers, potentially leading to complete system compromise. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it can be triggered through ordinary document opening operations, requiring no special privileges or user interaction beyond viewing the malicious file. Attackers can leverage this weakness to execute code with the privileges of the affected user, potentially escalating to system-level access depending on the execution environment.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability poses significant risks to organizations relying on Adobe Acrobat and Reader for document processing and sharing. The exploitability of this flaw means that simply opening a malicious PDF file could result in unauthorized code execution, making it a prime candidate for supply chain attacks or targeted phishing campaigns. The wide range of affected versions indicates that organizations may have multiple vulnerable systems across different platforms and deployment scenarios. Security analysts have observed this vulnerability being actively exploited in the wild, particularly targeting enterprise environments where document processing is common. The impact extends beyond individual system compromise to include potential data exfiltration, lateral movement capabilities, and establishment of persistent access points within network environments.
Organizations should prioritize immediate patching of all affected Adobe Acrobat and Reader installations to address this vulnerability. The recommended mitigation strategy includes deploying the latest security updates from Adobe, which contain memory validation fixes and improved input sanitization routines. Network segmentation and application whitelisting can provide additional defense-in-depth measures to prevent exploitation of this vulnerability. Security teams should implement monitoring for suspicious document handling activities and conduct regular vulnerability assessments to identify any remaining unpatched systems. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under T1059 for command and control operations, as exploitation often enables attackers to establish persistent access through arbitrary code execution. Additionally, implementing email filtering solutions and user education programs can help reduce the likelihood of successful exploitation through social engineering vectors that deliver malicious PDF files to unsuspecting users.