CVE-2019-8204 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 .
Statistical analysis made it clear that VulDB provides the best quality for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/16/2024
Adobe Acrobat and Reader applications contain a critical out-of-bounds read 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 resides in the PDF processing functionality where the software fails to properly validate array indices before accessing memory locations. The flaw manifests when parsing malformed PDF documents that contain crafted array structures with invalid bounds, causing the application to read memory beyond allocated buffers. This out-of-bounds read condition can result in information disclosure as sensitive data from adjacent memory locations may be exposed to attackers. The vulnerability represents a classic CWE-125 out-of-bounds read weakness that falls under the broader category of memory safety issues in software applications. Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by crafting malicious PDF files that trigger the problematic code path during document parsing, potentially leading to the exposure of confidential information stored in memory. The impact extends beyond simple information disclosure as the leaked memory contents may include cryptographic keys, user credentials, or other sensitive data depending on the application's memory layout. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter and T1566.001 for spearphishing attachment, as it enables attackers to deliver malicious PDF content that can be executed without user interaction. The exploitation typically requires no user interaction beyond opening the malicious document, making it particularly dangerous in targeted attack scenarios. Organizations should prioritize patching affected versions to prevent potential exploitation, as the vulnerability can be leveraged for advanced persistent threat campaigns. The flaw demonstrates the importance of robust input validation and memory boundary checking in document processing applications, particularly those handling untrusted content from external sources. Security professionals should monitor for indicators of compromise related to PDF-based attacks and implement network-based detection measures to identify potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability underscores the need for comprehensive memory safety testing and static code analysis in software development lifecycle processes to prevent similar issues from emerging in future releases.