CVE-2019-8223 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-2019-8223 represents a critical use after free flaw affecting multiple versions of Adobe Acrobat and Reader software. This vulnerability falls under the CWE-416 category, which specifically addresses use after free conditions where memory is accessed after it has been freed, creating potential entry points for malicious code execution. The affected versions span across different release lines including 2019.012.20040 and earlier, 2017.011.30148 and earlier, and 2015.006.30503 and earlier, indicating a long-standing issue that persisted across multiple software iterations. The vulnerability stems from improper memory management practices within the application's handling of objects and memory allocation processes.
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 freed and potentially reallocated. This condition creates a scenario where arbitrary code execution becomes possible, as malicious actors can overwrite freed memory with their own code and subsequently execute it when the freed memory is accessed again. The attack vector typically involves crafting malicious PDF files that trigger the vulnerable code path during document parsing or rendering operations. When the application processes these crafted documents, the improper memory handling leads to a situation where freed memory can be manipulated by an attacker to redirect execution flow.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability poses significant risks to organizations relying on Adobe Acrobat and Reader for document processing and viewing. The potential for arbitrary code execution means that attackers could gain complete control over affected systems, potentially leading to data breaches, system compromise, and lateral movement within network environments. The vulnerability affects a wide range of software versions, making it particularly dangerous as many organizations may have legacy installations that are difficult to update immediately. Security analysts categorize this vulnerability under the attack technique of code injection in the MITRE ATT&CK framework, specifically within the execution phase where adversaries seek to run malicious code on target systems.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigation strategies including applying the latest security patches from Adobe, which address the memory management issues causing the use after free condition. Additionally, network segmentation and application whitelisting can help reduce the attack surface by limiting the execution of potentially malicious PDF files. Security monitoring should focus on identifying unusual PDF processing activities and memory access patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability's persistence across multiple software versions underscores the importance of maintaining comprehensive patch management programs and regular security assessments to identify and remediate similar memory corruption issues. Organizations should also consider implementing sandboxing techniques for PDF processing and limiting user privileges when handling document files to minimize potential impact from successful exploitation attempts.