CVE-2019-8179 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
Adobe Acrobat and Reader contain a critical use after free vulnerability in multiple version ranges including 2019.012.20040 and earlier, 2017.011.30148 and earlier, and 2015.006.30503 and earlier. This vulnerability falls under the CWE-416 category, which specifically addresses use after free conditions where memory is accessed after it has been freed by a program. The flaw occurs when the application processes maliciously crafted pdf files that trigger improper memory management during object destruction. When a pdf document contains specially crafted elements that cause the application to free memory associated with certain objects and subsequently access that same memory location, an attacker can manipulate this behavior to execute arbitrary code on the target system. This vulnerability represents a serious security risk as it allows remote code execution without requiring user interaction beyond opening a malicious document, making it particularly dangerous in targeted attack scenarios. The exploitation mechanism leverages the fundamental memory management flaw where freed memory blocks are not properly invalidated, enabling attackers to overwrite or redirect execution flow through controlled data manipulation. The vulnerability impacts a wide range of Adobe Acrobat and Reader installations, spanning multiple major versions and release cycles, which significantly increases the attack surface. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter and T1068 for exploit for privilege escalation, as successful exploitation can lead to complete system compromise. Organizations should immediately apply patches from Adobe to address this vulnerability, as the use after free condition creates a direct path for attackers to gain unauthorized access and execute malicious code within the context of the vulnerable application. The vulnerability's impact is amplified by the widespread use of Adobe Reader across enterprise environments, making it a prime target for advanced persistent threat actors seeking to establish persistent access to network infrastructure. Security teams should implement network monitoring to detect potential exploitation attempts and consider sandboxing pdf viewing capabilities to limit potential damage from successful attacks. The remediation process requires immediate patch deployment across all affected systems, with particular attention to legacy versions that may not receive regular updates.