CVE-2022-28249 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.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/14/2022
This vulnerability represents a critical out-of-bounds read condition affecting 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 flaw occurs during the parsing of maliciously crafted files when the application attempts to read memory beyond the boundaries of allocated structures. This type of vulnerability falls under the common weakness enumeration CWE-125 which specifically addresses out-of-bounds read conditions that can lead to information disclosure and potential exploitation. The technical implementation involves the application failing to properly validate input boundaries when processing structured data within PDF files, creating a scenario where memory access violations can occur.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple memory corruption as it provides attackers with the capability to bypass important security mitigations such as Address Space Layout Randomization. This bypass mechanism occurs because the out-of-bounds read can potentially expose memory layout information or other sensitive data that would normally be protected by ASLR. The exploitation requires user interaction, meaning victims must actively open the malicious file, which makes this a client-side attack vector that relies on social engineering or phishing techniques to succeed. This characteristic places the vulnerability in the ATT&CK framework under initial access and execution tactics where adversaries must first gain a foothold through user interaction.
From a security perspective, this vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input validation and memory boundary checking in document processing applications. The flaw represents a classic example of how improper handling of structured data can lead to information disclosure and privilege escalation opportunities. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to extract memory contents that may reveal stack canaries, heap addresses, or other security mechanisms that would normally prevent successful exploitation of additional vulnerabilities. The fact that this affects multiple version streams indicates a fundamental flaw in the parsing logic that has persisted across different release cycles, highlighting the need for comprehensive code review and security testing processes.
Organizations should immediately deploy patches and updates from Adobe to address this vulnerability, as the out-of-bounds read condition creates a significant risk for targeted attacks. The recommended mitigations include implementing application whitelisting controls, restricting user permissions when opening PDF files, and deploying endpoint protection solutions that can detect and block suspicious file execution patterns. Security teams should also consider implementing network-based detection measures to identify potential exploitation attempts through network traffic analysis. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of keeping document processing applications updated, as these types of parsing vulnerabilities often provide attackers with multiple attack surfaces that can be leveraged for more sophisticated attacks.