CVE-2019-7828 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 heap overflow vulnerability. Successful exploitation could lead to arbitrary code execution.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/17/2024
Adobe Acrobat and Reader applications contain a critical heap overflow vulnerability that affects multiple product versions 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 when processing specially crafted pdf files, specifically within the memory management routines that handle heap allocation and deallocation operations. The flaw manifests when the application attempts to write data beyond the boundaries of allocated heap memory regions, creating conditions that allow attackers to manipulate memory layout and execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the affected user. This heap overflow vulnerability represents a classic software security weakness categorized under CWE-121 heap-based buffer overflow, which is a well-documented attack vector that has been consistently exploited in numerous high-profile security incidents. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it can be triggered through simple user interaction with maliciously crafted pdf documents, making it an ideal candidate for phishing attacks and supply chain compromises.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution to encompass full system compromise and potential lateral movement within enterprise environments. When successfully exploited, the heap overflow allows attackers to gain arbitrary code execution capabilities that can be leveraged to install malware, establish persistence mechanisms, or escalate privileges to system-level access. The attack surface is broad given the widespread deployment of Adobe Acrobat and Reader across corporate networks, making this vulnerability particularly attractive to threat actors seeking to compromise large organizations. From an adversarial perspective, this vulnerability aligns with tactics described in the attack phase of the kill chain, specifically targeting the initial access and exploitation stages where attackers seek to establish a foothold within target networks. The vulnerability's exploitation requires minimal user interaction, typically involving opening a malicious pdf file, which makes it particularly effective for social engineering campaigns and automated attack tools that can mass distribute compromised documents.
Mitigation strategies for this heap overflow vulnerability must address both immediate remediation and long-term security posture improvements. Organizations should prioritize immediate patching of all affected Adobe Acrobat and Reader versions to eliminate the vulnerability at its source, as Adobe has released security updates specifically addressing this issue. Additionally, implementing application whitelisting controls can prevent execution of unauthorized code and reduce the attack surface by restricting which applications can run on corporate systems. Network-based defenses such as pdf content filtering and deep packet inspection can help identify and block malicious documents before they reach end users. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of maintaining up-to-date security monitoring and incident response capabilities, as heap overflow exploits often leave detectable traces in system logs and memory dumps. Security teams should also consider implementing sandboxing technologies for pdf processing and regular security assessments to identify similar vulnerabilities in other commonly used applications. Organizations should also review their software deployment policies to ensure rapid patch deployment and consider implementing automated vulnerability management systems that can quickly identify and remediate similar issues across their enterprise environments.