CVE-2019-7835 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, 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 • 06/15/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-7835 represents a critical use after free flaw affecting multiple versions of Adobe Acrobat and Reader software. This vulnerability falls under the CWE-416 category, which specifically addresses use after free conditions where memory is accessed after it has been freed, creating potential attack vectors for malicious code execution. The affected versions span across several major releases including 2019.010.20100 and earlier, 2017.011.30140 and earlier, and 2015.006.30495 and earlier, indicating this flaw has persisted across multiple software iterations and represents a significant security concern for organizations relying on Adobe's document processing capabilities.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs within the memory management functions of Adobe's document processing engine, where improper handling of memory allocation and deallocation creates opportunities for attackers to manipulate freed memory regions. When the software processes certain PDF files containing maliciously crafted objects, the application may attempt to access memory that has already been released back to the system heap, allowing for potential code injection attacks. This flaw specifically manifests when the application encounters malformed input structures within PDF documents, particularly in the context of embedded JavaScript execution or complex object handling within the document rendering pipeline.
From an operational impact perspective, successful exploitation of CVE-2019-7835 can result in complete system compromise, as arbitrary code execution allows attackers to install malware, establish persistent backdoors, or escalate privileges within the victim's environment. The vulnerability's exploitation typically requires social engineering to deliver malicious PDF files to unsuspecting users, making it particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where document sharing is common. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under initial access and execution tactics, as attackers can leverage it to gain footholds in networks through document-based attacks, often bypassing traditional network security controls that may not inspect PDF content thoroughly.
Organizations should prioritize immediate remediation by updating to the latest versions of Adobe Acrobat and Reader, specifically targeting releases that have patched this memory management flaw. The mitigation strategy should include implementing comprehensive email filtering solutions that scan for malicious PDF attachments, deploying endpoint protection platforms with advanced threat detection capabilities, and establishing regular patch management procedures to ensure all systems remain current with security updates. Additionally, security teams should consider implementing network-based intrusion detection systems that can identify suspicious PDF file transfers and conduct regular security assessments to identify potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability's classification as a use after free issue makes it particularly susceptible to exploitation through automated attack tools, emphasizing the need for proactive security measures that go beyond simple patch deployment.