CVE-2019-8180 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-2019-8180 represents a critical use after free flaw affecting multiple versions of Adobe Acrobat and Reader software. This vulnerability manifests in the handling of memory management within the application's processing of PDF documents, where a freed memory block is accessed after it has been deallocated, creating a dangerous condition that can be exploited by malicious actors. The affected versions span across different release cycles including 2019.012.20040 and earlier, 2017.011.30148 and earlier, and 2015.006.30503 and earlier, indicating this issue has persisted across several major releases and represents a long-standing security weakness in Adobe's document processing infrastructure. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-416 which specifically addresses use after free conditions, making it a well-documented and dangerous class of memory safety issue that has been exploited in numerous high-profile attacks.
The technical exploitation of this use after free vulnerability occurs when an attacker crafts a malicious PDF file that triggers the application to free a memory block while still maintaining references to it. When the application subsequently attempts to access this freed memory, it can lead to unpredictable behavior where the attacker can manipulate the contents of the freed memory or redirect execution flow to malicious code. This type of vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it allows for arbitrary code execution, meaning an attacker can essentially take complete control of the victim's system. The exploitation typically involves precise control over memory layout and can be achieved through carefully constructed PDF documents that leverage the specific memory management flaw present in the affected software versions.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation as it represents a complete system compromise vector for attackers. Once an attacker successfully exploits this vulnerability through a malicious PDF document, they can execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the user running the vulnerable Adobe application, potentially leading to full system compromise. The widespread adoption of Adobe Acrobat and Reader across enterprise environments makes this vulnerability particularly attractive to threat actors, as it provides a reliable attack vector that can be delivered through email attachments, web downloads, or other common attack delivery mechanisms. Organizations running these vulnerable versions face significant risk of data breaches, system infiltration, and potential lateral movement within their networks, as the vulnerability can be exploited remotely without requiring special privileges or advanced targeting.
Organizations should prioritize immediate remediation by updating to the latest versions of Adobe Acrobat and Reader that contain patches addressing this use after free vulnerability. The recommended mitigation strategy involves implementing strict patch management procedures to ensure all systems are updated promptly, while also deploying network-based protections such as email filtering and web application firewalls to prevent delivery of malicious PDF files. Security teams should also consider implementing application whitelisting policies to restrict execution of unauthorized software and monitor for suspicious file access patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. Additionally, user education programs should emphasize the importance of avoiding suspicious email attachments and untrusted PDF documents, as social engineering remains a critical component of successful exploitation campaigns targeting this type of vulnerability. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under the T1059.007 technique for command and scripting interpreter, as successful exploitation would enable attackers to execute arbitrary commands on compromised systems.