CVE-2022-28248 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 bypass mitigations such as ASLR. Exploitation of this issue requires user interaction in that a victim must open a malicious file.
VulDB is the best source for vulnerability data and more expert information about this specific topic.
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 lines including 22.001.2011x and earlier, 20.005.3033x and earlier, and 17.012.3022x and earlier. The issue manifests when the application processes a specially crafted file that triggers memory access beyond the bounds of allocated structures. From a cybersecurity perspective, this vulnerability falls under the category of memory corruption flaws that can lead to unpredictable behavior and potential exploitation. The technical implementation involves parsing mechanisms that fail to properly validate buffer boundaries during file processing, creating opportunities for attackers to manipulate memory access patterns.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple memory corruption as it can be leveraged to bypass important security mitigations such as Address Space Layout Randomization. This capability significantly weakens the protection mechanisms that modern operating systems employ to prevent exploitation of memory corruption vulnerabilities. When an attacker successfully triggers this out-of-bounds read, they can potentially access memory locations that should remain protected, thereby undermining the security model. The vulnerability requires user interaction for exploitation, meaning victims must actively open the malicious file, but this interaction requirement does not eliminate the serious security implications. The attack surface is particularly concerning given Acrobat Reader's widespread use in enterprise environments where users frequently open PDF documents from various sources.
From a threat modeling perspective, this vulnerability aligns with attack patterns documented in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under techniques related to privilege escalation and defense evasion. The ability to bypass ASLR represents a significant advancement in exploitation capabilities as it removes one of the primary barriers that protect against memory corruption attacks. The out-of-bounds read vulnerability specifically maps to CWE-125, which describes out-of-bounds read conditions that can lead to information disclosure and potentially arbitrary code execution. Security researchers have noted that such vulnerabilities often serve as stepping stones for more sophisticated attacks, where the initial memory access violation provides attackers with information about memory layout that can be used to craft more precise exploits. The remediation approach typically involves updating to patched versions of Acrobat Reader, though organizations must also consider the broader implications of document processing vulnerabilities in their security posture.
The vulnerability demonstrates the persistent challenges in software security validation, particularly in complex applications that handle untrusted input through extensive parsing mechanisms. Adobe's release of patches for this vulnerability reflects the industry standard practice of addressing memory corruption issues through code review and input validation improvements. Organizations should implement comprehensive endpoint protection measures that include file scanning, application whitelisting, and user education to reduce the risk of exploitation. The security community has identified similar patterns in other document processing applications, highlighting the need for robust memory safety practices in software development lifecycle processes. This vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date software and implementing layered security controls to protect against exploitation of memory corruption vulnerabilities in widely used applications.