CVE-2022-44512 in Acrobat Reader
Summary
by MITRE • 12/19/2024
Acrobat Reader DC version 22.001.20085 (and earlier), 20.005.3031x (and earlier) and 17.012.30205 (and earlier) are affected by an out-of-bounds write vulnerability that could result in arbitrary code execution 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 • 12/19/2024
This vulnerability represents a critical out-of-bounds write flaw in Adobe Acrobat Reader DC across multiple version lines including 22.001.20085 and earlier, 20.005.3031x and earlier, and 17.012.30205 and earlier. The vulnerability occurs within the document parsing functionality when processing specially crafted malicious files, creating a condition where the application attempts to write data beyond the boundaries of allocated memory buffers. This type of flaw falls under the CWE-787 weakness category, which specifically addresses out-of-bounds writes that can lead to arbitrary code execution. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it requires only user interaction through opening a malicious file, making it highly exploitable in phishing campaigns and social engineering attacks.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability involves crafting a malicious PDF file that triggers the buffer overflow condition during document parsing operations. When a user opens such a file, the Acrobat Reader application processes the malformed document structure and attempts to write data beyond the intended buffer boundaries. This memory corruption can be leveraged by attackers to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the current user, potentially leading to complete system compromise. The attack vector is classified as a user interaction required exploit, meaning that the victim must actively open the malicious document for the attack to succeed, which aligns with the ATT&CK technique T1204.002 for User Execution through social engineering.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution as it provides attackers with a persistent foothold in targeted environments. Once successfully exploited, the attacker gains the ability to install malware, steal sensitive data, or establish backdoors within the victim's system. The widespread adoption of Adobe Acrobat Reader across enterprise environments makes this vulnerability particularly concerning for organizations, as a single compromised user can potentially lead to broader network infiltration. Organizations using older versions of Acrobat Reader are especially vulnerable since these versions lack the mitigations and patches that would protect against such buffer overflow conditions. The vulnerability demonstrates the ongoing challenge of maintaining security in widely deployed software applications where legacy support creates persistent attack surfaces.
Mitigation strategies should focus on immediate patching of all affected Acrobat Reader versions to prevent exploitation. Organizations should implement strict email filtering and document validation procedures to prevent malicious PDF files from reaching end users. Network-based intrusion detection systems can be configured to monitor for known malicious PDF file signatures and suspicious document parsing behaviors. Additionally, users should be trained to recognize phishing attempts and avoid opening unexpected PDF attachments. The implementation of application whitelisting policies can further reduce risk by restricting execution of unauthorized software, including potentially compromised versions of Acrobat Reader. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify any remaining unpatched systems within the organization's infrastructure.