CVE-2019-8160 in Acrobat Reader
Summary
by MITRE
Adobe Acrobat and Reader versions , 2019.012.20040 and earlier, 2017.011.30148 and earlier, 2017.011.30148 and earlier, 2015.006.30503 and earlier, and 2015.006.30503 and earlier have a cross-site scripting vulnerability. Successful exploitation could lead to information disclosure.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/17/2024
Adobe Acrobat and Reader applications contain a cross-site scripting vulnerability that affects multiple version ranges including 2019.012.20040 and earlier, 2017.011.30148 and earlier, and 2015.006.30503 and earlier versions. This vulnerability resides in the web content processing functionality of these applications, specifically within the handling of user-supplied input data that is subsequently rendered in web contexts. The flaw enables attackers to inject malicious scripts into web pages viewed by other users, creating a persistent cross-site scripting vector that can be exploited through various attack vectors including malicious PDF files or web-based content.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and output encoding mechanisms within the application's web rendering engine. When users open maliciously crafted PDF documents or encounter specially crafted web content, the application fails to properly sanitize user-provided data before rendering it in web contexts. This allows attackers to inject javascript code or other malicious payloads that execute in the context of the victim's browser session, potentially compromising the confidentiality and integrity of sensitive information. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-79 which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws in web applications and web services.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure as it creates a persistent threat vector that can be leveraged for more sophisticated attacks. Attackers can exploit this vulnerability to steal session cookies, perform unauthorized actions on behalf of users, redirect victims to malicious websites, or harvest sensitive data from compromised systems. The vulnerability affects not only individual users but also enterprise environments where Adobe Acrobat and Reader are widely deployed, potentially creating a large attack surface for threat actors. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to T1566 which covers social engineering techniques, and T1071 which covers application layer protocols, as attackers can leverage this weakness to deliver malicious payloads through web-based attack vectors.
Organizations and users should immediately update to the latest versions of Adobe Acrobat and Reader to remediate this vulnerability. Adobe has released patches and updates addressing this specific cross-site scripting flaw in affected versions. System administrators should implement network monitoring to detect potential exploitation attempts and consider implementing web application firewalls to mitigate the risk of successful attacks. Additionally, user education regarding the dangers of opening untrusted PDF files and visiting suspicious websites remains critical. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input validation and output encoding practices as recommended in OWASP top ten security controls, particularly focusing on the prevention of cross-site scripting attacks through proper sanitization of user inputs and secure coding practices in web application development.