CVE-2022-28239 in Acrobat Reader
Summary
by MITRE • 05/11/2022
Acrobat Reader DC version 22.001.2011x (and earlier), 20.005.3033x (and earlier) and 17.012.3022x (and earlier) are affected by an out-of-bounds read vulnerability when parsing a crafted file, which could result in a read past the end of an allocated memory structure. An attacker could leverage this vulnerability to execute code in the context of the current user. Exploitation of this issue requires user interaction in that a victim must open a malicious file.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/14/2022
This vulnerability represents a critical out-of-bounds read flaw in Adobe Acrobat Reader DC affecting multiple version ranges including 22.001.2011x and earlier, 20.005.3033x and earlier, and 17.012.3022x and earlier. The flaw occurs during the parsing of maliciously crafted files and allows an attacker to read memory beyond the boundaries of allocated structures. This type of vulnerability falls under the CWE-125 weakness category, which specifically addresses out-of-bounds read conditions that can lead to information disclosure or code execution. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it can be exploited to achieve remote code execution within the context of the current user, making it a significant threat in targeted attack scenarios.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves memory corruption during file parsing operations where the application fails to properly validate input boundaries when processing crafted PDF files. When a victim opens a maliciously constructed document, the parser attempts to access memory locations beyond the intended buffer boundaries, potentially exposing sensitive data or allowing arbitrary code execution. This type of memory safety issue typically arises from insufficient bounds checking in the parsing logic, which is a common pattern in software vulnerabilities that can be exploited through carefully crafted inputs. The vulnerability requires user interaction to be exploited, meaning that social engineering or phishing techniques would be necessary to deliver the malicious payload to a target system.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution capabilities to include potential information disclosure and system compromise. Attackers could leverage this flaw to gain unauthorized access to sensitive documents or system resources, particularly in environments where users frequently open PDF files from untrusted sources. The vulnerability's exploitation requires user interaction, which means that organizations must consider both technical and human factors in their security posture. This makes the vulnerability particularly concerning in enterprise environments where users may inadvertently open malicious documents, and the attack surface expands to include email attachments, web downloads, and file sharing platforms. The attack vector aligns with ATT&CK technique T1204.002, which involves user execution through malicious files, making it a common target for initial access phases in cyber attack campaigns.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including prompt patching of affected Acrobat Reader versions to address this vulnerability. The recommended approach involves updating to the latest versions of Adobe Acrobat Reader DC where the memory safety issues have been resolved through proper bounds checking and input validation. Additionally, security teams should consider implementing email filtering and file scanning solutions to prevent malicious PDF files from reaching users, and conduct user awareness training to reduce the likelihood of successful social engineering attacks. Network segmentation and application whitelisting can also provide additional defense layers, while monitoring systems should be configured to detect unusual file access patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability's classification as a memory safety issue emphasizes the importance of maintaining up-to-date software and implementing comprehensive security controls across all endpoints that handle document processing.