CVE-2019-8060 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 command injection 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 command injection 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 inadequate input validation and sanitization within the application's processing of PDF files, allowing attackers to inject malicious commands that execute with the privileges of the affected application. The flaw specifically manifests when the software processes certain PDF elements that contain unvalidated user input, creating an environment where attacker-controlled commands can be interpreted and executed by the underlying operating system. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-77 which describes command injection flaws where user-supplied data is directly incorporated into shell commands without proper sanitization. The security implications are severe as successful exploitation enables attackers to execute arbitrary code on the target system, potentially leading to complete system compromise and persistent access. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability through maliciously crafted PDF files delivered via email, web downloads, or compromised websites, making it particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where users frequently open PDF documents. The vulnerability exists at the application layer and can be classified under ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter, specifically through the use of legitimate system utilities. The impact extends beyond immediate code execution to include potential privilege escalation, lateral movement, and data exfiltration. Organizations using affected versions of Adobe Acrobat and Reader face significant risk of targeted attacks, especially in environments where users have elevated privileges or where the applications are used to process untrusted documents. The vulnerability affects both desktop and mobile versions of the software, with the command injection occurring during PDF parsing and rendering operations. This flaw demonstrates the critical importance of input validation in security-critical applications and represents a classic example of how improper sanitization of user data can lead to remote code execution. The attack surface is broad given the widespread use of Adobe Reader across enterprise networks and the common practice of opening PDF attachments from unknown sources. Security professionals should consider this vulnerability as part of broader threat modeling exercises, particularly when evaluating the risk of document-based attacks and the security posture of applications that handle untrusted content. The vulnerability's persistence across multiple major versions indicates a fundamental flaw in the software's input handling architecture that requires immediate attention and remediation. Organizations should prioritize updating to patched versions of Adobe Acrobat and Reader, implementing network-based controls to filter suspicious PDF content, and conducting user awareness training to reduce the risk of exploitation through social engineering attacks that deliver malicious documents. The vulnerability's classification as a command injection flaw makes it particularly attractive to attackers seeking persistent access to systems, as it provides a direct pathway for executing malicious commands without requiring additional exploitation techniques.