CVE-2019-8178 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 an use after free vulnerability. Successful exploitation could lead to arbitrary code execution .
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/16/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-8178 represents a critical use after free flaw affecting multiple versions of Adobe Acrobat and Reader software across different release cycles. This vulnerability manifests in the handling of memory management within the affected applications, specifically when processing certain document objects that trigger improper memory deallocation followed by subsequent access to freed memory locations. The flaw exists in the way the software manages memory resources during document parsing and rendering operations, creating a scenario where an attacker can manipulate the application's memory state to execute malicious code. The vulnerability affects versions including but not limited to 2019.012.20040 and earlier, 2017.011.30148 and earlier, and 2015.006.30503 and earlier, indicating a long-standing issue that spans multiple major releases and suggests inadequate memory management practices throughout the software development lifecycle.
The technical exploitation of this use after free vulnerability occurs when an attacker crafts a malicious PDF document containing specially constructed objects that, when processed by the vulnerable Adobe Reader or Acrobat application, cause the software to free memory associated with certain objects while still maintaining references to those locations. When the application subsequently attempts to access the freed memory, it can be manipulated to redirect execution flow to attacker-controlled code. This type of vulnerability falls under the Common Weakness Enumeration category CWE-416, which specifically addresses the use of freed memory conditions in software applications. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it can be triggered through normal document viewing operations, making it an ideal candidate for phishing attacks and social engineering campaigns where unsuspecting users might open malicious documents. The exploitation typically requires the user to open a specially crafted PDF file, which then triggers the memory corruption condition in the application's processing engine.
The operational impact of CVE-2019-8178 extends beyond simple code execution, as successful exploitation can lead to complete system compromise. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to gain unauthorized access to systems, escalate privileges, and potentially establish persistent backdoors. The vulnerability's exploitation vector through PDF documents makes it particularly effective in enterprise environments where PDF viewing is common, as users frequently open documents from email attachments, web downloads, or shared network drives. The impact is compounded by the fact that many organizations have legacy systems running older versions of Adobe software, making them more susceptible to exploitation. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1203, which involves exploiting software vulnerabilities to gain initial access to systems, and T1059, which covers command and script interpreter usage for persistence. Organizations that fail to patch this vulnerability face significant risk of data breaches, system compromise, and potential lateral movement within their networks.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2019-8178 require immediate action including applying the latest security patches from Adobe, which address the underlying memory management issues in the affected software versions. Organizations should implement strict document filtering policies that prevent opening of untrusted PDF files, particularly those received through email or downloaded from untrusted sources. Network-level security controls such as web proxies and email gateways should be configured to scan and block potentially malicious PDF content. Additionally, security awareness training for users should emphasize the dangers of opening unexpected PDF attachments and the importance of verifying document sources before opening them. System hardening measures including disabling unnecessary PDF features, implementing application whitelisting, and using sandboxing technologies can provide additional layers of protection. The vulnerability's classification as a critical issue by Adobe and security vendors underscores the importance of immediate remediation, as the window for exploitation remains open until patches are deployed across all affected systems. Regular vulnerability assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to identify and remediate similar memory corruption vulnerabilities that may exist in other software applications within the organization's environment.