CVE-2019-8190 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 out-of-bounds read vulnerability. Successful exploitation could lead to information disclosure .
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/16/2024
Adobe Acrobat and Reader contain a critical out-of-bounds read vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-8190 that affects multiple version ranges including 2019.012.20040 and earlier, 2017.011.30148 and earlier, and 2015.006.30503 and earlier. This vulnerability resides in the handling of PDF file structures and occurs when the software processes malformed or specially crafted PDF documents that contain improperly structured data. The flaw manifests as an out-of-bounds memory read operation where the application attempts to access memory locations beyond the allocated buffer boundaries during PDF parsing operations. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-125, which specifically addresses out-of-bounds read conditions in software implementations. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it can be triggered through user interaction with malicious PDF files, making it a prime candidate for targeted attacks and social engineering campaigns.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability involves crafting a PDF document that contains malformed data structures which, when processed by the affected Adobe applications, causes the memory access violation. The out-of-bounds read allows attackers to potentially extract sensitive information from adjacent memory locations, including but not limited to authentication tokens, cryptographic keys, or other confidential data that may be stored in memory. This information disclosure threat represents a significant risk to enterprise security environments where Adobe Reader is commonly used for document processing. The vulnerability demonstrates poor input validation and memory management practices within the PDF processing engine, specifically in how the software handles certain binary data structures within PDF files. Attackers could leverage this weakness to gain unauthorized access to sensitive information that might otherwise remain protected.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability creates substantial risk for organizations that rely heavily on Adobe Reader for document processing and sharing. The potential for information disclosure means that confidential business data, personal information, or intellectual property could be compromised through carefully crafted PDF files delivered via email, web downloads, or other attack vectors. The vulnerability affects multiple versions across different release cycles, indicating a persistent flaw in Adobe's PDF parsing implementation that spans several years of product development. Security teams must consider this vulnerability as part of their broader threat landscape, particularly when evaluating attack surface reduction strategies and endpoint protection measures. The exploitability of this vulnerability makes it attractive to threat actors seeking to conduct reconnaissance or data exfiltration campaigns against targeted organizations.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including prompt application of Adobe's security patches and updates to address the identified vulnerability. System administrators should consider implementing PDF file filtering and sandboxing mechanisms to reduce the risk of exploitation. Network security controls such as web application firewalls and content inspection systems can help identify and block potentially malicious PDF files before they reach end users. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of maintaining current security practices and ensuring that all software components are regularly updated. Security monitoring should include detection of suspicious PDF file access patterns and anomalous memory access behaviors that might indicate exploitation attempts. Additionally, user education and awareness programs should emphasize the dangers of opening unexpected PDF files from untrusted sources. This vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of proper memory management and input validation in security-critical applications, aligning with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for execution through PDF files and T1005 for data from local systems.