CVE-2019-8237 in Acrobat Reader
Summary
by MITRE
Adobe Acrobat and Reader versions 2019.012.20034 and earlier; 2019.012.20035 and earlier versions; 2017.011.30142 and earlier versions; 2017.011.30143 and earlier versions; 2015.006.30497 and earlier versions; 2015.006.30498 and earlier versions have an Insufficiently Robust Encryption vulnerability. Successful exploitation could lead to Security feature bypass in the context of the current user.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/24/2019
Adobe Acrobat and Reader applications have been found to contain a critical Insufficiently Robust Encryption vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-8237. This vulnerability affects multiple versions of Adobe's document processing software, specifically those released before the specified patch levels including 2019.012.20034, 2019.012.20035, 2017.011.30142, 2017.011.30143, 2015.006.30497, and 2015.006.30498. The flaw resides in the encryption implementation mechanisms used by these applications when processing pdf documents, creating a pathway for attackers to bypass security features that are designed to protect sensitive information. This vulnerability falls under CWE-327 which specifically addresses the use of weak or broken cryptographic algorithms, making it particularly concerning for organizations that rely on Adobe's software for handling confidential data. The security feature bypass occurs when an attacker can exploit the insufficiently robust encryption to gain unauthorized access to protected content or to circumvent access controls that should be in place. When successfully exploited, this vulnerability allows an attacker to operate within the security context of the current user, potentially leading to data exposure, unauthorized document access, or further compromise of the system. The operational impact extends beyond simple document access as it undermines the fundamental security model that Adobe applications are designed to enforce. Attackers leveraging this vulnerability could potentially decrypt protected documents, access restricted content, or manipulate the encryption mechanisms to gain additional privileges within the application environment. This weakness creates a persistent threat vector that can be exploited without requiring elevated privileges, making it particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where sensitive data is routinely processed using these applications. The vulnerability represents a failure in implementing industry-standard cryptographic practices and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1074 which covers data staging and T1566 which involves credential access through social engineering or exploitation of software vulnerabilities. Organizations should prioritize patching affected systems immediately, as the vulnerability provides attackers with a direct method to circumvent security controls. The recommended mitigation strategy involves updating to the latest versions of Adobe Acrobat and Reader where the encryption implementation has been strengthened to meet current security standards. Additionally, administrators should consider implementing network monitoring to detect potential exploitation attempts and ensure that all user systems are properly updated to prevent unauthorized access to sensitive information.