CVE-2023-38216 in Adobe
Summary
by MITRE • 10/25/2023
Adobe Bridge versions 12.0.4 (and earlier) and 13.0.3 (and earlier) are affected by a Use After Free vulnerability that could lead to disclosure of sensitive memory. 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 • 10/25/2023
Adobe Bridge versions 12.0.4 and earlier as well as 13.0.3 and earlier contain a critical use after free vulnerability that presents significant security implications for affected systems. This vulnerability falls under the Common Weakness Enumeration category CWE-416 which specifically addresses the use of freed memory conditions in software applications. The flaw exists in how the application handles memory management during file processing operations, creating opportunities for malicious actors to exploit the software's memory handling mechanisms. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it can be leveraged to bypass important security mitigations such as address space layout randomization which is designed to prevent attackers from predicting memory addresses during exploitation attempts.
The technical implementation of this use after free vulnerability occurs when Adobe Bridge processes maliciously crafted files that trigger improper memory deallocation followed by subsequent access to the freed memory regions. This memory access pattern allows attackers to potentially read sensitive data from memory locations that should no longer be accessible, creating information disclosure opportunities that could reveal system state, encryption keys, or other confidential information. The vulnerability requires user interaction to be exploited, meaning that victims must open the malicious file for the attack to succeed, making it a client-side exploit that relies on social engineering or targeted delivery methods to achieve successful compromise. The attack vector typically involves tricking users into opening specially crafted files that contain malicious code designed to trigger the memory management flaw.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it undermines fundamental security protections that modern operating systems and applications implement to prevent exploitation. When ASLR bypass occurs, attackers gain significant advantages in their exploitation efforts since they can now predict memory layouts and locations of critical system components. This makes it easier to develop reliable exploits that can be used for more sophisticated attacks including privilege escalation, code execution, or further system compromise. The vulnerability affects organizations that rely on Adobe Bridge for creative workflows, as these users represent potential entry points for attackers targeting creative agencies, design firms, or media organizations that may handle sensitive intellectual property or confidential client data.
Organizations should prioritize immediate remediation of this vulnerability by updating to Adobe Bridge versions that contain the necessary security patches and fixes. The recommended mitigation strategy involves implementing comprehensive patch management processes that ensure all Adobe Bridge installations are updated to versions that address the use after free vulnerability. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing user education programs to raise awareness about the risks of opening untrusted files and the importance of verifying file sources before processing them within creative applications. Network-based defenses such as email filtering, web proxies, and endpoint detection and response solutions can provide additional layers of protection by identifying and blocking malicious file delivery attempts. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of maintaining current security practices including regular security assessments, vulnerability scanning, and monitoring for potential exploitation attempts that may target this specific flaw.