CVE-2019-8196 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 untrusted pointer dereference vulnerability. Successful exploitation could lead to arbitrary code execution .
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/07/2025
Adobe Acrobat and Reader applications contain a critical untrusted pointer dereference vulnerability that affects 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-476 category of NULL Pointer Dereference, representing a fundamental flaw in memory management where the software attempts to access memory through a pointer that has not been properly validated or initialized. The flaw occurs when the application processes maliciously crafted PDF files that contain specially constructed data structures designed to trigger the vulnerable code path. When the software encounters such malformed input, it fails to properly validate pointer values before dereferencing them, creating an opportunity for attackers to execute arbitrary code on the target system.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe as it allows remote code execution attacks without requiring user interaction beyond opening a malicious document. Attackers can craft PDF files that, when processed by the vulnerable software, cause the application to dereference uninitialized or invalid pointers, leading to memory corruption and potential code execution. This vulnerability represents a significant threat vector in enterprise environments where Adobe Reader is widely deployed for document viewing, making it an attractive target for adversaries seeking persistent access to systems. The vulnerability's exploitation does not require any user interaction beyond opening the malicious document, making it particularly dangerous in phishing campaigns and targeted attacks.
Security researchers have classified this issue as a remote code execution vulnerability that can be exploited through social engineering techniques targeting end users. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this as a technique involving initial access through malicious documents, followed by execution of adversary code on the target system. The vulnerability's exploitation chain typically involves crafting a PDF file with malicious pointer references that, when opened by the vulnerable software, triggers the memory corruption leading to arbitrary code execution. Organizations should prioritize patching affected versions as the vulnerability has been actively exploited in the wild, with threat actors leveraging it to deliver malware payloads and establish persistent access to compromised systems. The remediation strategy involves updating to patched versions of Adobe Acrobat and Reader, implementing document validation controls, and deploying network-based protections to block malicious PDF content.
The root cause of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and memory management practices within Adobe's PDF processing engine. The software's failure to properly validate pointer values before dereferencing them creates a predictable exploitation pattern that adversaries can reliably leverage across multiple affected versions. Security professionals should note that this vulnerability demonstrates the importance of robust memory safety practices and proper input sanitization in document processing software. Organizations should implement layered security controls including email filtering, web application firewalls, and regular security updates to protect against this and similar vulnerabilities. The vulnerability also highlights the need for continuous security monitoring and rapid incident response capabilities to detect and mitigate exploitation attempts in real-time environments.