CVE-2019-8224 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-2019-8224 represents a critical use after free flaw affecting multiple versions of Adobe Acrobat and Reader software. This vulnerability manifests in the handling of memory management operations within the affected applications, specifically in versions up to and including 2019.012.20040, 2017.011.30148, and 2015.006.30503. The flaw occurs when the software attempts to access memory that has already been freed, creating a dangerous condition that can be exploited by malicious actors. The vulnerability falls under the CWE-416 category, which specifically addresses use after free conditions in software implementations. This particular weakness creates a pathway for attackers to execute arbitrary code on vulnerable systems, making it a significant concern for enterprise security environments.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves memory management errors within the Adobe Acrobat and Reader applications that process pdf files. When processing certain crafted pdf documents, the software allocates memory for objects and subsequently frees that memory while still maintaining pointers to the freed locations. Attackers can manipulate the pdf content to trigger this condition, causing the application to dereference freed memory pointers. This use after free condition creates a scenario where attackers can control the memory layout and potentially inject malicious code into the application's memory space. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it can be triggered through simple pdf file manipulation, requiring no specialized knowledge of the underlying system architecture. The exploitability of this flaw aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007, which involves the execution of malicious code through legitimate system processes.
The operational impact of CVE-2019-8224 extends beyond simple privilege escalation or denial of service conditions. Successful exploitation can result in complete system compromise, allowing attackers to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the affected user. This vulnerability particularly affects enterprise environments where pdf documents are frequently shared and opened, creating numerous attack vectors for threat actors. The widespread use of Adobe Acrobat and Reader across organizations makes this vulnerability especially attractive to attackers, as exploitation can potentially provide access to sensitive corporate data, enable lateral movement within networks, or establish persistent access points. Organizations running affected versions of the software face significant risk of data breaches, especially in environments where pdf files are regularly processed from external sources or untrusted networks. The vulnerability can be leveraged for advanced persistent threat campaigns where attackers seek to maintain long-term access to compromised systems.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2019-8224 should prioritize immediate software updates from Adobe, as the vendor has released patches addressing this specific vulnerability. Organizations should implement comprehensive patch management procedures to ensure all affected systems receive updates promptly. Additionally, network segmentation and pdf file scanning mechanisms can provide additional layers of defense by filtering potentially malicious documents before they reach end users. Security controls should include monitoring for unusual process behavior and memory access patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. The implementation of application whitelisting policies can prevent unauthorized code execution, while regular security assessments should verify that systems remain protected against similar vulnerabilities. Organizations should also consider implementing sandboxing techniques for pdf processing to isolate potentially malicious content from the primary operating system environment. These defensive measures align with the defensive techniques outlined in the ATT&CK framework, particularly those focused on preventing code execution and limiting privilege escalation opportunities.