CVE-2022-35673 in Framemaker
Summary
by MITRE • 08/11/2022
Adobe FrameMaker versions 2019 Update 8 (and earlier) and 2020 Update 4 (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 • 09/10/2022
Adobe FrameMaker versions 2019 Update 8 and earlier, along with 2020 Update 4 and earlier, contain a critical out-of-bounds read vulnerability designated as CVE-2022-35673. This flaw resides in the application's file parsing mechanism, specifically when processing malformed or crafted input files. The vulnerability manifests as an improper bounds checking error that allows an attacker to manipulate memory access patterns beyond the allocated boundaries of memory structures. Such memory corruption issues typically arise from insufficient validation of input parameters during file processing operations, creating opportunities for malicious actors to exploit the application's handling of untrusted data.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability requires an attacker to craft a malicious file that, when opened by an unsuspecting user, triggers the out-of-bounds read condition within FrameMaker's memory management system. This memory access violation can lead to arbitrary code execution with the privileges of the currently logged-in user, effectively providing attackers with a potential foothold for further system compromise. The vulnerability's classification aligns with CWE-125, which describes out-of-bounds read conditions in software implementations, making it particularly dangerous as it can be leveraged to bypass security controls and execute malicious payloads.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents significant risk to organizations relying on Adobe FrameMaker for document creation and editing. The requirement for user interaction through file opening creates a social engineering component that attackers can exploit through phishing campaigns or malicious file sharing. The attack surface expands when considering that FrameMaker is commonly used in professional environments where users frequently open documents from external sources, increasing the likelihood of successful exploitation. Security teams must consider the potential for privilege escalation and lateral movement if attackers successfully leverage this vulnerability to establish persistent access within target networks.
Organizations should prioritize immediate patch management to address this vulnerability, as Adobe has released updates to remediate the issue in affected versions. The mitigation strategy should include user education about avoiding suspicious file attachments and implementing strict file validation policies for document handling. Network monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual file access patterns or attempts to open potentially malicious documents. Additionally, system hardening measures such as application whitelisting, sandboxing of document processing applications, and regular security assessments can help reduce the attack surface. This vulnerability demonstrates the importance of maintaining up-to-date software versions and implementing comprehensive security controls to protect against memory corruption exploits that can lead to full system compromise. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this as a privilege escalation technique through memory corruption vulnerabilities, emphasizing the need for layered defensive measures that address both the specific vulnerability and broader attack patterns associated with such exploits.