CVE-2019-8192 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-2019-8192 represents a critical use after free flaw affecting multiple versions of Adobe Acrobat and Reader software. This vulnerability manifests in versions including but not limited to 2019.012.20040 and earlier, 2017.011.30148 and earlier, and 2015.006.30503 and earlier, creating a significant security risk for users of these applications. The flaw resides in the improper handling of memory management within the software's processing mechanisms, specifically when dealing with objects that are freed from memory but subsequently accessed. This type of vulnerability falls under the CWE-416 category of Use After Free, which is classified as a common weakness in software development practices that directly impacts memory safety and application stability.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs when the Adobe Acrobat or Reader application processes certain PDF files containing maliciously crafted objects. During normal operation, the software allocates memory for various objects such as embedded fonts, images, or JavaScript elements. When these objects are no longer needed, the application properly frees the associated memory blocks. However, in the presence of this vulnerability, the application fails to properly invalidate references to these freed memory locations, allowing an attacker to manipulate the freed memory contents before they are accessed by legitimate application code. This memory corruption can be exploited to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the user running the vulnerable application, potentially leading to complete system compromise.
The operational impact of CVE-2019-8192 extends beyond simple code execution, as it provides attackers with a powerful foothold for further exploitation within target environments. When successfully exploited, this vulnerability can enable attackers to bypass standard security controls, escalate privileges, and potentially establish persistent access to compromised systems. The vulnerability's widespread presence across multiple versions of Adobe's software means that a large number of users could be at risk, making it particularly attractive to threat actors seeking to maximize their attack surface. Organizations that rely heavily on PDF document processing, such as financial institutions, government agencies, and legal firms, face heightened risk due to the prevalence of PDF files in their daily operations.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2019-8192 should prioritize immediate patching of affected Adobe software versions, as Adobe has released security updates addressing this specific vulnerability. System administrators should implement comprehensive patch management processes to ensure all instances of vulnerable software are updated promptly. Additional protective measures include implementing strict PDF file validation policies, deploying sandboxing technologies for PDF processing, and configuring network-level controls to restrict access to potentially malicious PDF content. The vulnerability's classification under the ATT&CK framework as a code injection technique emphasizes the need for defensive measures that focus on memory corruption prevention and application isolation. Organizations should also consider implementing automated monitoring solutions to detect potential exploitation attempts and establish incident response procedures specifically tailored to address use after free vulnerabilities in enterprise software environments.