CVE-2022-35674 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 • 08/11/2022
Adobe FrameMaker versions 2019 Update 8 and earlier as well as 2020 Update 4 and earlier contain a critical out-of-bounds read vulnerability that represents a significant security risk for users of these legacy software versions. This vulnerability falls under the CWE-125 weakness category, which specifically addresses out-of-bounds read conditions where an application attempts to read data beyond the boundaries of a allocated memory buffer. The flaw manifests when the application processes a specially crafted file that triggers an improper bounds check during parsing operations.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the FrameMaker application's memory management routines failing to properly validate array indices or buffer limits when processing malformed input files. When a malicious file is opened, the parsing logic attempts to access memory locations beyond the intended buffer boundaries, potentially causing the application to read adjacent memory segments. This out-of-bounds memory access can lead to information disclosure, application instability, or more critically, remote code execution. The vulnerability requires user interaction as a victim must actively open the malicious file, making it a client-side attack vector that relies on social engineering or targeted delivery methods.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability creates a substantial risk for organizations that continue to use outdated FrameMaker versions, particularly in environments where document processing is frequent or where users may encounter untrusted files. The potential for remote code execution in the context of the current user means that attackers could gain unauthorized access to systems with the same privileges as the victim, potentially leading to full system compromise. The attack surface is limited by the requirement for user interaction, but this requirement does not eliminate the threat, especially in environments where users may be targeted through phishing campaigns or other social engineering techniques.
The exploitation of this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1203, which involves exploiting software vulnerabilities to gain unauthorized access to systems. Organizations should prioritize immediate remediation by upgrading to supported FrameMaker versions that contain the necessary security patches. Additionally, implementing file validation controls, restricting user permissions, and conducting security awareness training to prevent accidental opening of malicious files can help mitigate the risk. System administrators should also consider network-based protections such as sandboxing or file reputation systems to reduce the potential impact of successful exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of maintaining up-to-date software versions and highlights the risks associated with continued use of unsupported legacy applications in enterprise environments.