CVE-2020-3797 in Acrobat Reader
Summary
by MITRE
Adobe Acrobat and Reader versions 2020.006.20034 and earlier, 2017.011.30158 and earlier, 2017.011.30158 and earlier, 2015.006.30510 and earlier, and 2015.006.30510 and earlier have a memory corruption vulnerability. Successful exploitation could lead to arbitrary code execution .
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/05/2020
Adobe Acrobat and Reader applications contain a memory corruption vulnerability that affects multiple versions across different release cycles including 2020.006.20034 and earlier, 2017.011.30158 and earlier, and 2015.006.30510 and earlier. This vulnerability stems from improper handling of memory operations within the software's processing of PDF documents, creating a condition where maliciously crafted PDF files can trigger buffer overflows or other memory corruption issues. The flaw manifests when the application attempts to parse or render specific elements within PDF files, particularly those involving complex graphics or embedded objects that exceed expected memory boundaries. The vulnerability falls under the CWE-121 category of stack-based buffer overflow, though it may also exhibit characteristics of heap-based corruption depending on the specific attack vector. This memory corruption issue represents a critical security risk because it can be exploited through social engineering tactics where users unknowingly open malicious PDF attachments or visit compromised websites hosting harmful documents.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution as it provides attackers with a pathway to achieve complete system compromise. When successfully exploited, the memory corruption allows attackers to inject and execute arbitrary code within the context of the Acrobat or Reader application process, potentially enabling privilege escalation if the application runs with elevated permissions. The attack surface is broad since PDF documents are commonly shared via email, web downloads, and file transfers, making this vulnerability particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where users frequently interact with external documents. The vulnerability's exploitability is enhanced by the widespread use of Adobe Reader across organizations, as even a single compromised system can serve as a foothold for lateral movement throughout a network. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to technique T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter, and T1068 for exploit for privilege escalation, while also supporting initial access through T1566.001 for malicious file delivery.
Organizations should prioritize immediate patching of affected Adobe Acrobat and Reader versions to mitigate this vulnerability, as no reliable workarounds exist for the memory corruption issue. The recommended mitigation strategy involves deploying the latest security updates from Adobe, which address the underlying memory handling flaws through improved input validation and memory management routines. Security administrators should also implement additional protective measures such as restricting PDF file execution through content filtering solutions, disabling JavaScript in PDF documents, and employing sandboxing technologies to isolate PDF processing. Network-based protections including email filtering systems and web proxies can help prevent malicious PDF files from reaching end users, while endpoint detection and response solutions should monitor for suspicious process behavior related to Acrobat or Reader applications. The vulnerability's persistence across multiple release cycles indicates that organizations maintaining older versions of Adobe software must perform comprehensive inventory audits to identify all potentially vulnerable systems and ensure complete remediation across their entire infrastructure.