CVE-2021-39831 in Framemaker
Summary
by MITRE • 09/29/2021
Adobe Framemaker versions 2019 Update 8 (and earlier) and 2020 Release Update 2 (and earlier) are affected by an out-of-bounds write vulnerability that could result in arbitrary code execution in the context of the current user. Exploitation of this issue requires user interaction in that a victim must open a malicious PDF file.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/03/2021
Adobe Framemaker contains a critical out-of-bounds write vulnerability that allows attackers to execute arbitrary code when a user opens a maliciously crafted pdf file. This vulnerability stems from improper input validation within the application's pdf parsing functionality, where the software fails to properly bounds-check array accesses when processing specially crafted pdf documents. The flaw exists in the way Framemaker handles certain pdf objects and streams, particularly when parsing complex pdf structures that contain malformed data. When a user opens a malicious pdf file, the application attempts to write data beyond the allocated memory boundaries, leading to a memory corruption condition that can be exploited to overwrite critical memory locations. This vulnerability is classified as a CWE-787 Out-of-bounds Write, which is a well-known weakness that frequently leads to arbitrary code execution. The attack requires social engineering to trick users into opening the malicious file, making it a client-side exploit that leverages user interaction as a prerequisite for successful exploitation. The vulnerability affects all versions of Adobe Framemaker up to and including 2019 Update 8 and 2020 Release Update 2, indicating a widespread impact across the product's release history. Security researchers have identified this issue as particularly dangerous because it operates within the context of the current user, meaning successful exploitation could allow attackers to execute malicious code with the privileges of the targeted user. The memory corruption resulting from the out-of-bounds write can potentially be manipulated to redirect program execution flow, enabling attackers to inject and execute their own code within the Framemaker process. This vulnerability is categorized under the ATT&CK technique T1203 Exploitation for Client Execution, which specifically addresses attacks that leverage application vulnerabilities to execute malicious code on compromised systems. The impact extends beyond simple code execution as it can potentially allow for privilege escalation, data theft, or further system compromise. Organizations using these older versions of Framemaker should immediately implement mitigation strategies including restricting pdf file execution, updating to patched versions, and implementing user education to avoid opening untrusted pdf documents. The vulnerability represents a significant risk to enterprise environments where Framemaker is widely deployed, as it provides attackers with a straightforward path to system compromise through social engineering and targeted pdf delivery.