CVE-2019-8002 in Acrobat Reader
Summary
by MITRE
Adobe Acrobat and Reader versions , 2019.012.20035 and earlier, 2019.012.20035 and earlier, 2017.011.30142 and earlier, 2017.011.30143 and earlier, 2017.011.30142 and earlier, 2015.006.30497 and earlier, and 2015.006.30498 and earlier have an out-of-bounds read vulnerability. Successful exploitation could lead to information disclosure .
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/28/2020
Adobe Acrobat and Reader applications contain a critical out-of-bounds read vulnerability that affects multiple version ranges including 2019.012.20035 and earlier, 2017.011.30142 and earlier, 2017.011.30143 and earlier, 2015.006.30497 and earlier, and 2015.006.30498 and earlier. This vulnerability stems from improper bounds checking within the application's handling of certain PDF file structures, specifically when processing embedded objects or malformed data streams. The flaw manifests as an out-of-bounds memory read operation that occurs when the software attempts to access memory locations beyond the allocated buffer boundaries. This type of vulnerability falls under the common weakness enumeration CWE-125, which describes out-of-bounds read conditions that can result in information disclosure, denial of service, or potentially code execution depending on the specific memory access patterns. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it can be triggered through maliciously crafted PDF files that an unsuspecting user might open, making it a prime candidate for social engineering attacks. When exploited, the out-of-bounds read can expose sensitive memory contents including stack canaries, heap metadata, or other application data that could be leveraged by attackers to bypass security mechanisms or gain additional insights into the application's memory layout. The operational impact extends beyond simple information disclosure, as this vulnerability could potentially be chained with other exploits to achieve arbitrary code execution within the context of the user's session. This aligns with the attack pattern described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under technique T1059 for command and scripting interpreter, where attackers might use information disclosure to refine their attack vectors. The vulnerability affects both desktop and mobile versions of the affected Adobe applications, creating a widespread risk across multiple platforms and deployment scenarios. Organizations using these older versions of Adobe Acrobat and Reader face significant risk exposure, particularly in environments where users regularly process untrusted PDF documents. The vulnerability's exploitation potential makes it a high-priority target for threat actors seeking to establish persistent access or escalate privileges within compromised systems.
The technical nature of this out-of-bounds read vulnerability can be attributed to insufficient input validation and memory management practices within the PDF parsing components of Adobe's software. When processing PDF files, the application's parser fails to properly validate array indices or buffer sizes before accessing memory locations, allowing attackers to craft PDF files that trigger memory access violations. This specific implementation flaw represents a classic buffer over-read scenario where the application reads data beyond the intended boundaries of allocated memory regions. The vulnerability demonstrates poor defensive programming practices and highlights the importance of implementing robust bounds checking mechanisms in security-critical applications. The information disclosure aspect occurs because the out-of-bounds read may inadvertently expose memory contents that could contain sensitive information such as cryptographic keys, authentication tokens, or application state data. Security researchers have noted that this vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it can be exploited in the context of a web browser or email client that automatically opens PDF attachments, making it a significant risk for enterprise environments. The vulnerability's impact is amplified by the widespread use of Adobe Acrobat and Reader across various industries, from financial services to healthcare, where the potential for data exposure is extremely high. Organizations should prioritize immediate patching of affected versions, as the window for exploitation remains open for systems that have not yet been updated. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of keeping third-party software up-to-date and implementing proper security controls such as sandboxing, content filtering, and user education to reduce the risk of successful exploitation attempts. Without proper mitigation measures, this vulnerability could enable attackers to gain unauthorized access to sensitive documents or establish footholds for more sophisticated attacks within target networks. The potential for this vulnerability to be leveraged in targeted attacks makes it a significant concern for organizations that handle confidential data and operate in regulated environments where compliance requirements demand strict control over information access and disclosure.