CVE-2019-8019 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 a type confusion vulnerability. Successful exploitation could lead to arbitrary code execution .
VulDB is the best source for vulnerability data and more expert information about this specific topic.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/29/2020
Adobe Acrobat and Reader applications contain a type confusion vulnerability that affects multiple versions across different release cycles including 2019.012.20035 and earlier, 2017.011.30142 and earlier, 2017.011.30143 and earlier, and 2015.006.30497 and earlier. This vulnerability stems from improper handling of object types during runtime execution, where the application fails to correctly validate or distinguish between different data types when processing maliciously crafted pdf files. The type confusion occurs within the parsing mechanisms that handle embedded objects and streams, allowing an attacker to manipulate memory layout through crafted input. This flaw manifests as a critical security issue that can be exploited to execute arbitrary code on a victim's system, making it particularly dangerous for enterprise environments where users frequently open pdf documents from untrusted sources.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability follows patterns consistent with type confusion attacks as classified under CWE-466 and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1203. When a malicious pdf document is opened, the vulnerable parsing code attempts to interpret data as one type while the actual data represents another type, leading to memory corruption. This memory corruption can be leveraged to overwrite function pointers, control flow registers, or other critical memory locations, enabling attackers to inject and execute malicious code with the privileges of the victim user. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it can be triggered through simple document opening actions without requiring user interaction beyond the initial opening of the malicious file.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond individual user systems to enterprise networks where Adobe Acrobat Reader is widely deployed for document sharing and collaboration. Organizations that rely heavily on pdf document processing, including legal, financial, and healthcare sectors, face significant risk exposure. Attackers can craft targeted pdf files that exploit this vulnerability in phishing campaigns, supply chain attacks, or social engineering operations. The vulnerability affects both desktop and mobile versions of the software, making it a broad attack surface. Security teams must consider the implications for email gateways, web applications that process pdf uploads, and document management systems that utilize Adobe Reader components.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability include immediate patch deployment for all affected versions of Adobe Acrobat and Reader, implementing strict document validation policies, and employing sandboxing mechanisms for pdf processing. Organizations should also consider network-based protections such as web application firewalls that can detect and block malicious pdf files, along with endpoint detection and response solutions that monitor for suspicious behavior patterns associated with exploitation attempts. Regular security assessments should include testing for this vulnerability, and user education programs should emphasize the risks of opening pdf files from untrusted sources. Additionally, implementing principle of least privilege access controls and maintaining up-to-date security tooling can help reduce the attack surface and impact of successful exploitation attempts.