CVE-2019-8242 in Media Encoder
Summary
by MITRE
Adobe Media Encoder versions 13.1 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 • 05/05/2025
Adobe Media Encoder version 13.1 and earlier contains a critical out-of-bounds read vulnerability that stems from improper input validation within the application's media processing pipeline. This flaw resides in the software's handling of malformed media files or specific parameter values during encoding operations, creating a scenario where the application attempts to read memory locations beyond the allocated buffer boundaries. The vulnerability manifests when the software processes specially crafted media files that trigger unexpected memory access patterns, potentially exposing sensitive data from adjacent memory regions.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-125, which describes out-of-bounds read conditions where a program accesses memory beyond the boundaries of a buffer. This particular flaw operates at the application layer within the media processing subsystem, where insufficient bounds checking occurs during the parsing of media file headers or metadata structures. Attackers can exploit this weakness by crafting malicious media files that, when processed by the vulnerable Adobe Media Encoder version, cause the application to read beyond allocated memory segments. The out-of-bounds read may inadvertently expose memory contents including encryption keys, user credentials, or other sensitive information stored in adjacent memory locations.
From an operational perspective, successful exploitation of CVE-2019-8242 could result in information disclosure that compromises the confidentiality of data processed through Adobe Media Encoder. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond simple data exposure as it may enable attackers to extract system information, application state data, or potentially sensitive user information from memory. This type of vulnerability is particularly concerning in professional media production environments where Adobe Media Encoder is frequently used to process sensitive content, making it a potential vector for data leakage or system reconnaissance activities. The exploitability of this vulnerability requires user interaction through opening or processing malicious media files, making it a targeted attack vector that could be leveraged in supply chain attacks or social engineering campaigns.
Organizations should immediately update to Adobe Media Encoder version 14.0 or later to remediate this vulnerability, as Adobe has released patches addressing the out-of-bounds read condition. The mitigation strategy should include comprehensive vulnerability assessments of media processing workflows and implementation of additional input validation controls at network boundaries. Security teams should also consider deploying network monitoring solutions to detect unusual media file processing activities that could indicate exploitation attempts. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter usage and potentially T1566 for social engineering, as attackers may leverage this weakness through malicious media file delivery. Regular security awareness training for media production teams is essential to prevent accidental exploitation through untrusted media file processing. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of secure coding practices and input validation in multimedia processing applications, particularly in enterprise environments where such tools handle sensitive content and data.