CVE-2019-8216 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 .
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/16/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-8216 represents a critical out-of-bounds read 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 input validation within the document parsing mechanisms of these applications, specifically when processing malformed or specially crafted PDF files. The flaw resides in the memory management routines that handle document object structures, where the software fails to properly bounds-check array accesses during PDF parsing operations.
The technical nature of this vulnerability places it firmly within the CWE-125 category of out-of-bounds read conditions, which is classified as a fundamental memory safety issue in software development. When an attacker crafts a malicious PDF file containing malformed data structures, the vulnerable application attempts to read memory locations beyond the allocated buffer boundaries. This behavior can result in the disclosure of sensitive information from adjacent memory regions, potentially exposing confidential data such as passwords, encryption keys, or other system information that resides in memory. The vulnerability operates at the application layer and does not require elevated privileges to exploit, making it particularly dangerous in environments where users frequently open PDF documents from untrusted sources.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability creates significant risks for organizations relying on Adobe Acrobat and Reader for document processing and sharing. Attackers can leverage this flaw through social engineering campaigns targeting end users, who may inadvertently open malicious PDF attachments in email communications, web downloads, or file sharing platforms. The information disclosure aspect of this vulnerability can lead to data breaches, intellectual property theft, or compromise of sensitive business information. The exploitability of this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and script interpreter, where attackers may use the information disclosed to craft more sophisticated attacks or establish persistence within compromised systems. Organizations may experience regulatory compliance issues, reputational damage, and potential financial losses due to unauthorized data access.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2019-8216 should prioritize immediate software updates to the latest versions of Adobe Acrobat and Reader, which contain patches addressing the out-of-bounds read vulnerability. System administrators should implement strict document filtering policies, particularly for PDF files received from external sources, and consider deploying sandboxing technologies to isolate PDF processing activities. Network-based intrusion detection systems should be configured to monitor for suspicious PDF file transfers and potential exploitation attempts. Additionally, user education programs should emphasize the importance of verifying document sources and avoiding opening attachments from unknown senders. Organizations should also consider implementing privileged access management controls and regular vulnerability assessments to identify similar memory safety issues within their software ecosystems. The remediation process should include thorough testing of updated software versions to ensure that security patches do not introduce compatibility issues with existing business workflows.