CVE-2019-8027 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 write vulnerability. Successful exploitation could lead to arbitrary code execution.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/28/2020
Adobe Acrobat and Reader applications contain a critical out-of-bounds write vulnerability that affects multiple versions across different release cycles. This vulnerability resides in the handling of malformed PDF files and represents a classic buffer overflow condition where an attacker can write data beyond the allocated memory boundaries. The flaw manifests when the software processes specially crafted PDF documents that contain malformed data structures, particularly in the way it handles certain object types and their associated memory allocations. The vulnerability has been classified under CWE-787, which specifically addresses out-of-bounds write conditions in software applications.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when a malicious PDF file triggers an improper memory access pattern during document parsing. When the vulnerable software encounters malformed input data, it fails to properly validate the boundaries of memory regions before writing data, allowing an attacker to overwrite adjacent memory locations. This memory corruption can be leveraged to execute arbitrary code within the context of the affected application, potentially enabling full system compromise. The vulnerability affects both desktop and mobile versions of Adobe Acrobat and Reader, making it particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where these applications are widely deployed.
The operational impact of CVE-2019-8027 extends beyond simple code execution, as it provides attackers with a pathway for persistent system compromise. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability can gain complete control over the affected system, potentially leading to data exfiltration, privilege escalation, and lateral movement within network environments. The vulnerability's exploitation requires minimal user interaction, often succeeding through simple document opening or preview operations, making it particularly attractive to threat actors. This weakness aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter, as successful exploitation typically involves code execution that can be used to establish further footholds.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including prompt patching of all affected Adobe Acrobat and Reader installations across their networks. The vulnerability affects versions released in 2015, 2017, and 2019 release cycles, requiring comprehensive inventory management to identify all potentially vulnerable systems. Additional defensive measures include implementing PDF sandboxing features, restricting user privileges when processing PDF documents, and deploying network-based intrusion detection systems that can identify suspicious PDF file transfers. Security teams should also consider implementing application whitelisting policies that restrict execution of untrusted PDF files and establish automated patch management processes to ensure timely vulnerability remediation. The vulnerability's classification under CWE-787 emphasizes the need for robust input validation and memory safety practices in all software development processes.