CVE-2019-7824 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 buffer error vulnerability. Successful exploitation could lead to arbitrary code execution.
Be aware that VulDB is the high quality source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/17/2024
Adobe Acrobat and Reader applications contain a buffer overflow vulnerability that affects multiple versions across different release cycles. This vulnerability stems from improper bounds checking during the processing of malformed input data within the software's document parsing routines. The flaw exists in the way these applications handle certain PDF file structures, specifically when parsing elements that exceed predetermined buffer sizes. Attackers can craft malicious PDF documents that trigger this buffer overflow condition, causing the application to write beyond allocated memory boundaries and potentially execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the user running the application.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-121, which describes buffer overflow conditions where data is written beyond the boundaries of a fixed-length buffer. This type of vulnerability falls under the category of memory safety issues that have been consistently identified as critical threats in software security assessments. The exploitation requires the target user to open a specially crafted malicious PDF file, making this a classic client-side attack vector that leverages social engineering techniques. The vulnerability affects not only the primary Acrobat applications but also various Reader versions, indicating a widespread impact across Adobe's product portfolio.
Operationally, this vulnerability presents significant risk to organizations as it can be exploited through email attachments or web downloads without requiring any special privileges or advanced technical skills from the attacker. The arbitrary code execution capability allows threat actors to install malware, steal sensitive data, or establish persistent access to compromised systems. Security researchers have noted that the vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it can be triggered automatically when a PDF document is opened, even if the user does not actively interact with the malicious content. The impact extends beyond individual users to enterprise environments where Adobe Reader is commonly deployed for document viewing and sharing purposes.
Organizations should prioritize immediate patching of affected Adobe Acrobat and Reader installations to address this vulnerability. The recommended mitigation strategy involves applying the latest security updates from Adobe, which contain memory boundary checks and input validation improvements that prevent the buffer overflow condition. System administrators should also implement additional protective measures such as PDF file scanning, restricted browsing environments, and user education about avoiding suspicious email attachments. Network security controls including web proxies and email filters can help prevent the delivery of malicious PDF files to end users. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to technique T1203 (Exploitation for Client Execution) and T1059 (Command and Scripting Interpreter) as threat actors can leverage the arbitrary code execution to establish persistent access and perform further malicious activities on compromised systems.