CVE-2019-8197 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 .
Be aware that VulDB is the high quality source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/02/2025
Adobe Acrobat and Reader applications contain a critical heap overflow 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 stems from improper input validation when processing specially crafted pdf documents that contain malformed data structures. The flaw occurs during the parsing of specific object types within pdf files where the application fails to properly bounds-check heap allocations, leading to memory corruption that can be exploited by attackers. This heap overflow vulnerability represents a classic type of memory safety issue that falls under the CWE-121 category of stack-based buffer overflow, though in this case the overflow occurs in heap memory rather than stack memory. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it allows for arbitrary code execution when a user opens a maliciously crafted pdf file, making it a prime target for exploitation in phishing campaigns and targeted attacks. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to execute malicious code with the privileges of the victim user, potentially leading to complete system compromise. The attack surface is broad given the widespread use of Adobe Reader across enterprise environments and individual users, making this vulnerability particularly attractive to threat actors. This vulnerability maps to multiple ATT&CK techniques including initial access through malicious documents and execution through arbitrary code injection. The heap overflow specifically enables attackers to overwrite critical memory structures including return addresses and function pointers, allowing for control flow hijacking. The vulnerability has been classified as a high-severity issue by Adobe and is part of the broader category of memory corruption vulnerabilities that have historically been the primary attack vector for many sophisticated cyber attacks. Organizations using affected versions of Adobe Acrobat and Reader are strongly advised to implement immediate mitigations including disabling pdf processing in web browsers, implementing strict file access controls, and applying the latest security patches from Adobe. The vulnerability demonstrates the persistent challenge of memory safety issues in large, complex software applications and highlights the importance of regular security updates and vulnerability management processes. Security researchers have noted that similar heap overflow vulnerabilities in Adobe products have been successfully exploited in the wild, making immediate remediation essential for protecting against potential compromise.