CVE-2019-8183 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 heap overflow vulnerability. Successful exploitation could lead to arbitrary code execution .
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/17/2024
Adobe Acrobat and Reader applications contain a critical heap overflow vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-8183 that affects multiple versions across different release cycles. This vulnerability stems from improper memory management within the software's handling of specific file formats, particularly those involving embedded objects or complex data structures. The flaw manifests when the application processes malformed input data that triggers an insufficient bounds check during heap allocation operations, creating conditions where attacker-controlled data can overwrite adjacent memory regions beyond the intended buffer boundaries. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-121, heap-based buffer overflow, which represents a fundamental memory safety issue that has been a persistent concern in software development for decades.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability requires an attacker to craft a malicious document or file that, when opened by an affected version of Adobe Acrobat or Reader, triggers the flawed memory handling routine. The heap overflow occurs during the parsing of specific file components, likely involving embedded JavaScript or complex object structures that cause the application to allocate insufficient memory for processing the data. When the application attempts to write data beyond the allocated heap space, it can overwrite critical memory locations including return addresses, function pointers, or other control data structures. This memory corruption directly enables arbitrary code execution capabilities, allowing attackers to execute malicious payloads with the privileges of the affected user. The vulnerability demonstrates characteristics consistent with the attack pattern described in ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for Windows Command Shell, where exploitation leads to remote code execution through application-level memory corruption.
The operational impact of CVE-2019-8183 extends beyond simple exploitation as it represents a significant threat to enterprise security environments where Adobe Reader and Acrobat are widely deployed. Organizations using affected versions face potential compromise through social engineering attacks targeting document attachments, phishing campaigns, or malicious websites that deliver crafted PDF files. The vulnerability affects multiple release lines including 2019, 2017, and 2015 versions, indicating a long-standing issue that has persisted across several major releases, suggesting either inadequate testing procedures or persistent architectural challenges in the memory management code. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to establish persistent access, escalate privileges, or deploy additional malware payloads, making it particularly dangerous for organizations that rely heavily on PDF document processing for business operations. The widespread adoption of Adobe Reader across different platforms and industries amplifies the potential impact, as the vulnerability affects not just individual users but entire enterprise networks where PDF documents are commonly shared and processed.
Organizations should immediately implement mitigation strategies including mandatory patching of all affected Adobe Acrobat and Reader installations to the latest versions that contain the relevant security fixes. System administrators should consider implementing additional protective measures such as restricting PDF file execution permissions, deploying sandboxing solutions, and configuring web browsers to prompt users before opening PDF files from untrusted sources. Network-based protections including web application firewalls and content filtering solutions can help detect and block malicious PDF files before they reach end-user systems. The vulnerability highlights the importance of maintaining up-to-date software inventory management and implementing automated patch deployment processes to ensure rapid remediation of known security flaws. Additionally, user education regarding the dangers of opening unexpected PDF attachments and the importance of verifying document sources remains crucial in reducing the attack surface for this and similar vulnerabilities. Security teams should also monitor for indicators of compromise related to this vulnerability and establish incident response procedures specifically addressing heap overflow exploitation attempts.