CVE-2019-8200 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 type confusion vulnerability. Successful exploitation could lead to arbitrary code execution .
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/17/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-8200 represents a critical type confusion flaw affecting multiple versions of Adobe Acrobat and Reader software. This vulnerability manifests in the handling of data structures during runtime execution, where the application incorrectly processes objects of different types, leading to unpredictable behavior that can be exploited by malicious actors. The affected versions span across several major releases including 2019.012.20040 and earlier, 2017.011.30148 and earlier, and 2015.006.30503 and earlier, indicating a widespread issue that has persisted across multiple software generations. The vulnerability specifically impacts the software's ability to properly manage memory and object references, creating opportunities for attackers to manipulate the application's execution flow.
Type confusion vulnerabilities fall under the CWE-466 category, which specifically addresses the situation where a program uses a pointer to an object of one type but treats it as if it were of a different type. This fundamental error in type handling creates a dangerous condition where the application's memory management becomes compromised, allowing attackers to execute arbitrary code on the affected system. The flaw typically occurs when the software fails to properly validate type information during object manipulation, particularly in scenarios involving dynamic object creation or when processing untrusted input data. In the context of Adobe Reader and Acrobat, this vulnerability is particularly concerning as these applications frequently process potentially malicious PDF files from untrusted sources, making them prime targets for exploitation.
The operational impact of CVE-2019-8200 extends beyond simple code execution, as successful exploitation can lead to complete system compromise. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to execute malicious payloads with the privileges of the user running the affected software, potentially leading to data theft, system infiltration, or deployment of additional malware. The vulnerability's exploitation requires a user to open a specially crafted malicious PDF file, making social engineering a critical component of successful attacks. This makes the vulnerability particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where users may encounter such files through email attachments, web downloads, or other common attack vectors. The attack surface is significantly expanded due to the widespread use of Adobe Reader across various platforms and industries.
Security mitigations for this vulnerability should focus on immediate patch deployment as the primary defense mechanism, as Adobe released updates addressing this specific flaw. Organizations should implement strict file validation policies and consider sandboxing PDF processing to limit the potential damage from successful exploits. Network segmentation and access controls can help reduce the impact if an attacker does manage to exploit the vulnerability. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this type of vulnerability under T1059 (Command and Scripting Interpreter) and T1203 (Exploitation for Client Execution), highlighting the need for comprehensive endpoint protection measures. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should include checks for outdated Adobe software versions, as this vulnerability represents a common target for advanced persistent threat actors. Additionally, user education programs should emphasize the importance of only opening PDF files from trusted sources and maintaining updated software versions to prevent exploitation opportunities.