CVE-2019-8211 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 .
Several companies clearly confirm that VulDB is the primary source for best vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/16/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-8211 represents a critical use after free flaw affecting multiple versions of Adobe Acrobat and Reader software. This vulnerability 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 significant security risk for users who rely on these document viewing applications. The flaw resides in the memory management handling of specific objects within the software's processing pipeline, where freed memory blocks are subsequently accessed without proper validation, creating opportunities for malicious exploitation.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-416, which specifically addresses use after free conditions in software applications. This memory safety issue occurs when a program continues to reference memory that has already been freed, potentially allowing attackers to manipulate the freed memory location for executing arbitrary code. The exploitation mechanism typically involves crafting malicious PDF documents that trigger the vulnerable code path during document parsing, causing the application to access already freed memory segments that may have been overwritten with attacker-controlled data. This type of vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it can be leveraged to execute code with the privileges of the targeted user.
The operational impact of CVE-2019-8211 extends beyond simple privilege escalation, as successful exploitation can result in complete system compromise. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to install malware, steal sensitive information, or establish persistent backdoors within affected systems. The widespread adoption of Adobe Acrobat and Reader across enterprise environments means that a successful exploit could potentially affect numerous organizations simultaneously, making this vulnerability particularly attractive to threat actors. The vulnerability's presence in multiple version lines indicates a long-standing issue that has persisted across several software releases, highlighting the importance of timely patch management and security updates.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigation strategies including prompt deployment of Adobe's security patches, which address the underlying memory management issues in the affected software versions. Network segmentation and application whitelisting can provide additional protective layers while patches are being deployed. The vulnerability's classification under ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter suggests that exploitation may involve malicious scripting within PDF documents, requiring enhanced sandboxing and content analysis capabilities. Security teams should also consider implementing monitoring solutions that can detect anomalous behavior patterns consistent with use after free exploitation attempts, particularly in environments where PDF processing is common. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify any remaining instances of the vulnerable software versions within the organization's infrastructure.