CVE-2019-8210 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-2019-8210 represents a critical use after free flaw affecting multiple versions of Adobe Acrobat and Reader software. This issue 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 widespread attack surface across numerous software releases. The vulnerability stems from improper memory management practices within the affected applications, specifically involving objects that are accessed after their memory has been freed, creating opportunities for malicious exploitation.
The technical flaw in CVE-2019-8210 operates through a classic use after free vulnerability pattern where the application allocates memory for an object, uses that object, and then frees the memory but continues to reference the freed memory location. This memory corruption scenario occurs during document processing operations within Adobe Acrobat and Reader, particularly when handling maliciously crafted PDF files. The vulnerability is categorized under CWE-416 as "Use After Free" which is a well-documented and dangerous class of memory safety issues that frequently leads to remote code execution in software applications.
When successfully exploited, this vulnerability enables attackers to achieve arbitrary code execution on affected systems, representing a severe security risk that can be leveraged for complete system compromise. The attack typically involves crafting a malicious PDF document that triggers the vulnerable code path during document rendering or processing, causing the application to execute attacker-controlled code with the privileges of the user running the vulnerable software. This arbitrary code execution capability aligns with the attack patterns described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under the technique T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter, specifically PowerShell and Windows Command Shell, as attackers can leverage this vulnerability to establish persistent access and escalate privileges within compromised environments.
The operational impact of CVE-2019-8210 extends beyond individual system compromise to potentially affect enterprise networks where Adobe Acrobat and Reader are widely deployed. Organizations utilizing these vulnerable versions face significant risk of targeted attacks, particularly in environments where users regularly open PDF documents from untrusted sources. The vulnerability's exploitation requires minimal user interaction, often just opening a malicious PDF file, making it particularly dangerous in phishing campaigns and targeted attacks. Security professionals must consider the implications of this vulnerability when assessing risk for their organizations, as it can be exploited by threat actors without requiring advanced technical skills to implement.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2019-8210 primarily involve immediate patching of affected software versions to the latest releases from Adobe, which contain the necessary memory management fixes. Organizations should implement comprehensive patch management procedures to ensure all vulnerable systems receive updates promptly, as the vulnerability affects multiple software versions and deployment scenarios. Additionally, network-level security measures such as PDF file filtering and sandboxing can provide additional layers of protection while patches are being deployed. Security teams should also monitor for indicators of compromise related to exploitation attempts and consider implementing endpoint detection and response solutions that can identify anomalous behavior associated with memory corruption exploits. The vulnerability's classification as a use after free issue emphasizes the importance of proper memory management practices in software development and the critical need for thorough code review processes to prevent similar issues in future releases.