CVE-2019-8250 in Acrobat Reader
Summary
by MITRE
Adobe Acrobat and Reader versions 2019.012.20035 and earlier, 2019.012.20035 and earlier, 2017.011.30142 and earlier, 2017.011.30143 and earlier, 2015.006.30497 and earlier, and 2015.006.30498 and earlier have a type confusion vulnerability. Successful exploitation could lead to arbitrary code execution .
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/28/2020
Adobe Acrobat and Reader contain a type confusion vulnerability that affects multiple versions across different release cycles including 2019.012.20035 and earlier, 2017.011.30142 and earlier, 2015.006.30497 and earlier, and their respective subsequent builds. This vulnerability stems from improper handling of object types during runtime execution, where the application fails to properly validate or distinguish between different data types when processing maliciously crafted pdf files. The type confusion flaw occurs when the software incorrectly interprets the memory layout of objects, leading to situations where a pointer intended to reference one type of data structure may inadvertently point to another type, causing unpredictable behavior. This vulnerability is classified under CWE-466 as the use of double-checked locking pattern without proper synchronization, though the specific implementation details point more toward memory management errors in object handling.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe as successful exploitation can result in arbitrary code execution on the victim's system, potentially allowing attackers to gain full control over the affected machine. Attackers can craft malicious pdf documents that trigger the type confusion when the vulnerable software attempts to parse and render the document content. The attack typically involves manipulating the object type information during the parsing process, causing the application to execute unintended code paths. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1203 - Exploitation for Client Execution, where adversaries leverage software vulnerabilities to execute malicious code on target systems. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where users frequently open pdf documents from untrusted sources, making it an attractive target for phishing campaigns and targeted attacks.
Mitigation strategies should focus on immediate patching of affected versions, as Adobe has released security updates addressing this vulnerability. Organizations should implement strict pdf document filtering policies, particularly blocking pdf files from external sources or unknown senders. Network-based defenses can include sandboxing pdf processing or using specialized pdf analysis tools to detect potentially malicious content before it reaches end-user systems. Additionally, regular security awareness training should emphasize the dangers of opening unexpected pdf attachments, and system administrators should monitor for unusual process behavior that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper memory management and type validation in software applications, particularly in widely used productivity tools that process untrusted data from external sources.