CVE-2022-44514 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 a use-after-free 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 use-after-free condition 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 flaw occurs when the application processes maliciously crafted PDF files, creating a scenario where memory previously allocated to an object is accessed after it has been freed, leading to potential arbitrary code execution. This type of vulnerability falls under the CWE-416 category, which specifically addresses use-after-free conditions where software continues to reference memory after it has been deallocated, creating opportunities for memory corruption attacks. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it requires only user interaction through opening a malicious file, making it highly exploitable in phishing campaigns and social engineering attacks where victims might unknowingly open compromised documents.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability involves a sophisticated attack chain where an attacker crafts a PDF file containing malicious code that triggers the use-after-free condition during document parsing. When the vulnerable Acrobat Reader processes this specially crafted file, the application's memory management becomes corrupted, potentially allowing an attacker to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the current user. This represents a significant escalation from a simple document viewing application to a potential system compromise vector. The attack surface is broad given Acrobat Reader's widespread deployment across enterprise environments, making this vulnerability particularly dangerous for organizations that rely heavily on PDF document processing.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability creates substantial risk for enterprise security postures since Acrobat Reader is frequently used across organizations for document review and collaboration. The requirement for user interaction means that successful exploitation typically occurs through targeted attacks rather than automated mass exploitation, but this also makes it more insidious as it can be delivered through legitimate email channels or document sharing platforms. Organizations must consider that successful exploitation could lead to complete system compromise, data exfiltration, and lateral movement within network environments. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1204.002 which describes user execution through malicious file attachment, and T1059 which covers command and scripting interpreter execution. The attack vector often involves social engineering elements where users are tricked into opening seemingly legitimate documents that contain the malicious payload.
Mitigation strategies should include immediate patching of affected versions to address the underlying memory management flaw, along with comprehensive user education about the risks of opening unexpected PDF files from untrusted sources. Network-based protections such as PDF content filtering and sandboxing mechanisms can provide additional layers of defense. Organizations should also implement strict access controls and monitoring for PDF file handling activities, particularly in high-risk environments. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of keeping document processing applications updated and highlights the need for zero-trust security models where all file processing activities are treated with suspicion. Security teams should also consider implementing automated vulnerability scanning to identify systems running vulnerable versions of Acrobat Reader and prioritize remediation efforts based on risk assessment and organizational impact analysis.