CVE-2022-28243 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 across multiple version ranges including 22.001.2011x and earlier, 20.005.3033x and earlier, and 17.012.3022x and earlier. The vulnerability manifests when the application processes a specially crafted PDF file that triggers an improper bounds check during memory parsing operations. The flaw occurs within the document parsing engine where the software attempts to read data beyond the allocated memory boundaries, creating a potential pathway for arbitrary code execution. This type of vulnerability falls under the common weakness enumeration CWE-125 which specifically addresses out-of-bounds read conditions in software implementations. The security implications are severe as this vulnerability can be exploited through social engineering tactics where an attacker crafts a malicious PDF file designed to trigger the vulnerable code path when opened by an unsuspecting user.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability requires a user interaction component where the victim must voluntarily open the malicious file, making it a user-initiated attack vector rather than an automated system compromise. When the vulnerable application parses the crafted PDF document, it fails to properly validate memory boundaries during the parsing process, allowing an attacker to manipulate memory access patterns that result in reading past the end of allocated memory structures. This memory corruption can potentially be leveraged to overwrite critical memory locations or redirect execution flow, ultimately enabling remote code execution with the privileges of the current user context. The vulnerability demonstrates a classic memory safety issue where proper input validation and bounds checking mechanisms are insufficient or absent during document processing operations.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution as it represents a significant threat to enterprise security environments where users frequently open PDF documents from various sources including email attachments, web downloads, and shared network drives. Organizations running affected versions of Acrobat Reader DC face potential compromise of user systems, which could lead to data exfiltration, lateral movement within networks, or establishment of persistent backdoors. The attack surface is particularly concerning given that PDF files are commonly used for business communications and document sharing, making user interaction a realistic attack vector. This vulnerability aligns with tactics described in the attack mitigation framework where adversaries leverage user interaction to deliver malicious payloads through commonly trusted document formats, following the attack pattern of initial access through phishing campaigns or compromised websites.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should prioritize immediate patching of all affected Acrobat Reader DC versions to the latest security updates provided by Adobe. Organizations should implement defensive measures such as restricting PDF file execution in email systems, deploying sandboxing technologies for PDF processing, and establishing strict file type controls in network environments. Network administrators should consider implementing web application firewalls that can detect and block malicious PDF content, while endpoint protection solutions should be configured to monitor for suspicious memory access patterns. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of regular security assessments and penetration testing to identify similar memory safety issues in other software components. Additionally, user education programs should emphasize the dangers of opening unexpected PDF files and the importance of verifying document sources before opening attachments or downloading files from untrusted sources.