CVE-2019-8066 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, 2015.006.30497 and earlier, and 2015.006.30498 and earlier have a heap overflow vulnerability. Successful exploitation could lead to arbitrary code execution .
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/28/2020
Adobe Acrobat and Reader applications contain a critical heap overflow vulnerability that affects multiple product versions 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 within the software's memory management mechanisms, specifically when processing maliciously crafted PDF files. The heap overflow occurs when the application attempts to write data beyond the boundaries of allocated heap memory blocks, creating exploitable conditions that can be leveraged by attackers to execute arbitrary code on affected systems. This flaw represents a classic buffer overflow vulnerability that falls under the CWE-121 category of stack-based buffer overflow, though the heap-based nature of the vulnerability makes it particularly dangerous in the context of PDF processing applications.
The exploitation of this vulnerability enables attackers to achieve remote code execution through crafted PDF documents that, when opened by vulnerable versions of Adobe Acrobat or Reader, trigger the heap overflow condition. This allows threat actors to execute malicious code with the privileges of the targeted user, potentially leading to complete system compromise. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because PDF files are widely distributed through email attachments, web downloads, and malicious websites, making it an attractive target for cybercriminals seeking to exploit user trust in document viewing applications. Attackers can craft malicious PDF files that, when opened by an unpatched version of Adobe Reader, will cause the heap overflow to occur during parsing operations, providing a direct path to code execution.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple remote code execution, as it creates opportunities for persistent threats and advanced persistent attacks. Once exploited, attackers can establish backdoors, escalate privileges, and maintain long-term access to compromised systems. The vulnerability's presence in multiple product versions across different release cycles indicates a fundamental flaw in Adobe's memory management and input validation processes that affects a broad user base. This makes the vulnerability particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where users may be running outdated versions of Adobe Reader, and the attack surface is significantly expanded due to the widespread use of PDF documents in business processes. Organizations using Adobe Acrobat and Reader across their networks face substantial risk if they have not applied the relevant security patches, as the vulnerability can be exploited through simple user interaction such as opening a malicious document.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should include immediate deployment of patches released by Adobe, which address the heap overflow condition through proper bounds checking and memory management improvements. Organizations should implement strict document handling policies that restrict PDF file downloads and opening, particularly from untrusted sources, and consider deploying sandboxing solutions to isolate PDF processing activities. Network-based mitigations such as web application firewalls and content filtering solutions can help prevent malicious PDF files from reaching end users, while endpoint protection solutions should be configured to monitor for suspicious PDF processing activities. Additionally, security teams should implement regular vulnerability scanning and patch management processes to ensure all versions of Adobe Reader and Acrobat are kept up to date with the latest security fixes. The remediation approach should align with industry best practices for vulnerability management and follow established frameworks such as those outlined in the NIST Cybersecurity Framework and ISO 27001 standards for information security management.