CVE-2020-9726 in Framemaker
Summary
by MITRE
Adobe FrameMaker version 2019.0.6 (and earlier versions) has an out-of-bounds read vulnerability that could be exploited to read past the end of an allocated buffer, possibly resulting in a crash or disclosure of sensitive information from other memory locations. User interaction is required to exploit this vulnerability in that the target must visit a malicious page or open a malicious FrameMaker file.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/13/2020
Adobe FrameMaker versions 2019.0.6 and earlier contain a critical out-of-bounds read vulnerability that represents a significant security risk for end users and enterprise environments. This vulnerability falls under the Common Weakness Enumeration category CWE-125, which specifically addresses out-of-bounds read conditions where programs access memory locations beyond the bounds of allocated buffers. The flaw occurs when the application processes specially crafted FrameMaker files or web content that triggers improper memory access patterns during document parsing operations.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and boundary checking within FrameMaker's document parsing engine. When processing maliciously constructed files, the application fails to properly validate array indices or buffer limits, allowing an attacker to manipulate memory access patterns that extend beyond intended buffer boundaries. This condition can result in the application reading adjacent memory locations, potentially exposing sensitive data such as encryption keys, session tokens, or other confidential information stored in nearby memory segments. The vulnerability's exploitation requires user interaction through either visiting a malicious webpage or opening a crafted FrameMaker file, making it particularly dangerous in targeted attack scenarios.
The operational impact of CVE-2020-9726 extends beyond simple application instability, as the potential for information disclosure creates opportunities for advanced persistent threats and data exfiltration attacks. Organizations utilizing FrameMaker for document creation and editing face significant risk when users encounter malicious content, particularly in environments where sensitive business or technical documentation is handled. The vulnerability's classification under the ATT&CK framework aligns with techniques involving malicious file delivery and execution, specifically targeting user-level applications that process untrusted content. Attackers could leverage this weakness to establish persistent access to corporate networks through the extraction of credentials or other sensitive data from memory.
Security professionals should implement immediate mitigation strategies including patching to Adobe FrameMaker version 2020.0.0 or later, which contains the necessary fixes for this vulnerability. Network-based protections such as web application firewalls and content filtering systems can help prevent access to malicious web pages that might trigger this vulnerability. Additionally, user education programs should emphasize the importance of avoiding untrusted FrameMaker files and web content, particularly from unknown sources. Organizations should also consider implementing application whitelisting policies that restrict execution of unapproved software versions, while monitoring for anomalous memory access patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date software versions and implementing defense-in-depth strategies to protect against sophisticated attack vectors targeting productivity applications.