CVE-2019-8212 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
Adobe Acrobat and Reader contain a critical use after free vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-8212 affecting 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 handling of specific PDF objects within the application's memory management system, where a freed memory block is accessed after it has been deallocated, creating a classic use after free condition that falls under CWE-416. The flaw occurs when the application processes malformed PDF files containing specially crafted objects that trigger improper memory deallocation followed by subsequent access to the same memory location. This memory corruption vulnerability represents a significant security risk as it allows attackers to execute arbitrary code within the context of the vulnerable application, potentially leading to complete system compromise. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it can be exploited through social engineering attacks where users open malicious PDF files, making it a prime target for targeted attacks and zero-day exploitation campaigns. The operational impact extends beyond simple code execution to include potential privilege escalation and persistent backdoor establishment, as attackers can leverage this vulnerability to gain unauthorized access to sensitive information and system resources. The use after free condition creates a predictable memory layout that attackers can manipulate to inject and execute malicious payloads, making it particularly attractive to threat actors who utilize this technique in advanced persistent threat campaigns. Organizations utilizing Adobe Acrobat and Reader products must understand that this vulnerability represents a critical risk to their security posture, as it enables attackers to bypass traditional security controls and establish persistent access to corporate networks. The vulnerability's exploitation requires minimal user interaction beyond opening a malicious document, making it particularly effective for phishing campaigns and supply chain attacks where adversaries can distribute compromised PDF files through legitimate channels. This issue aligns with several ATT&CK techniques including initial access through malicious files, privilege escalation, and execution through legitimate system processes, making it a comprehensive threat vector that requires immediate attention. The vulnerability affects multiple product versions across different release cycles, indicating a long-standing issue within Adobe's PDF processing engine that has persisted across several major releases. Security professionals should note that this vulnerability demonstrates the importance of memory safety practices and proper input validation in document processing applications, as similar issues have been documented in other PDF readers and office applications. The use after free condition creates a window of opportunity for attackers to manipulate the application's execution flow, potentially allowing for the execution of shellcode or other malicious payloads that can establish command and control channels. Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including disabling PDF processing in web browsers, applying vendor patches, and deploying network-based intrusion detection systems to monitor for exploitation attempts. The vulnerability's impact extends to enterprise environments where Adobe Reader is commonly deployed for document viewing, making it a critical concern for organizations that rely on PDF document exchange. Proper patch management and application hardening measures are essential to prevent exploitation of this vulnerability, as it represents a fundamental flaw in the application's memory management that can be leveraged for complete system compromise.