CVE-2019-8215 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 • 01/17/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-8215 represents a critical use after free flaw affecting multiple versions of Adobe Acrobat and Reader software. This issue stems from improper memory management practices within the affected applications, specifically in how they handle memory allocation and deallocation processes. The vulnerability manifests when the software attempts to access memory that has already been freed, creating a dangerous condition that can be exploited by malicious actors. The affected versions include several major releases from Adobe's product line spanning from 2015 through 2019, indicating this represents a long-standing flaw that persisted across multiple software iterations. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-416 which specifically addresses the use of freed memory conditions, making it a well-documented and serious security concern within the software security community.
The technical exploitation of this use after free vulnerability occurs when an attacker can manipulate the application's memory management to cause a program to access memory that has already been deallocated and potentially reallocated for other purposes. This creates a scenario where arbitrary code execution becomes possible, as the attacker can control the memory contents that will be accessed during the subsequent operations. The flaw typically arises from insufficient validation of memory pointers or improper handling of object lifecycles within the application's processing pipeline. When an attacker successfully triggers this condition, they can inject malicious code into the application's memory space and execute it with the privileges of the target user. This vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it allows for remote code execution without requiring any special privileges or user interaction beyond opening a maliciously crafted document.
The operational impact of CVE-2019-8215 extends far beyond simple exploitation scenarios, as it provides attackers with a pathway to compromise entire systems through document-based attacks. Organizations using affected versions of Adobe Acrobat and Reader face significant risks including data breaches, system compromise, and potential lateral movement within their networks. The vulnerability's presence in such widely deployed software means that successful exploitation can affect numerous endpoints across different organizations, making it a high-priority target for cybercriminals and nation-state actors. The use after free condition creates a persistent threat vector that can be leveraged for various attack methodologies, including privilege escalation, persistent backdoor installation, and information exfiltration. This vulnerability directly aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059 which covers command and scripting interpreter usage, as the arbitrary code execution capability enables attackers to deploy malicious payloads and maintain persistence on compromised systems.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2019-8215 primarily focus on immediate remediation through software updates and patches provided by Adobe. Organizations should prioritize updating to the latest versions of Adobe Acrobat and Reader that contain fixes for this vulnerability, as these releases typically include memory management improvements and proper pointer validation. Additionally, implementing network-based security controls such as email filtering and web application firewalls can help prevent exploitation attempts through document delivery vectors. Security professionals should also consider deploying application whitelisting policies that restrict execution of untrusted documents, while monitoring for suspicious memory access patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability's classification under CWE-416 emphasizes the importance of proper memory management practices in software development, making this issue not just a patching concern but a broader software quality and security engineering consideration. Organizations should also implement regular security assessments and penetration testing to identify similar memory management flaws that may exist in other applications within their environment.