CVE-2023-44366 in Acrobat Reader DC
Summary
by MITRE • 11/16/2023
Adobe Acrobat Reader versions 23.006.20360 (and earlier) and 20.005.30524 (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 • 12/10/2023
Adobe Acrobat Reader remains a widely used application for viewing pdf documents across enterprise and consumer environments, making vulnerabilities within its codebase particularly concerning from a cybersecurity perspective. The specific vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-44366 represents a critical out-of-bounds write flaw that exists within the application's handling of maliciously crafted pdf files. This vulnerability manifests in versions 23.006.20360 and earlier, as well as 20.005.30524 and earlier, indicating a significant attack surface that affects multiple release streams of the software. The flaw stems from inadequate bounds checking within the pdf parsing engine, where the application fails to properly validate the size and structure of data elements during document processing. This deficiency creates an opportunity for attackers to craft malicious pdf files that can trigger memory corruption when opened by an unsuspecting user.
The technical nature of this vulnerability places it squarely within the CWE-787 category of out-of-bounds write conditions, which is classified as a critical weakness in software security. When a user opens a specially crafted pdf file, the application's pdf parser attempts to write data beyond the allocated memory boundaries, potentially allowing an attacker to overwrite adjacent memory locations. This memory corruption can be leveraged to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the currently logged-in user, effectively providing a complete system compromise. The exploit requires user interaction through the simple act of opening a malicious file, making it particularly dangerous in phishing campaigns or targeted attacks where social engineering can be employed to convince victims to open compromised documents. The attack vector aligns with the ATT&CK technique T1204.002 for 'User Execution: Malicious File', where adversaries rely on users to execute malicious payloads.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends far beyond individual user compromise, as Adobe Acrobat Reader is extensively deployed in enterprise environments where it serves as the primary pdf viewer for business-critical documents. Organizations that have not updated to patched versions of the software remain vulnerable to remote code execution attacks that could result in data breaches, system infiltration, and lateral movement within networks. The vulnerability's exploitation requires minimal sophistication from attackers, as the user interaction requirement makes it suitable for mass phishing campaigns where the only prerequisite is convincing users to open malicious files. Security teams must consider the widespread deployment of this software across various departments and user groups, creating a significant risk surface that could be exploited to gain initial access to corporate networks. The potential for privilege escalation and persistent access makes this vulnerability particularly attractive to threat actors conducting advanced persistent threat campaigns.
Organizations should immediately implement patch management procedures to update all instances of Adobe Acrobat Reader to versions that address this vulnerability. The mitigation strategy should include comprehensive network monitoring for suspicious pdf file activity and user behavior patterns that might indicate attempted exploitation. Security teams should also consider implementing application control measures to restrict the execution of pdf files from untrusted sources or to enforce sandboxed execution environments for pdf viewing. Additionally, user awareness training programs should emphasize the importance of verifying pdf file sources and avoiding opening unexpected or unsolicited pdf attachments. The vulnerability's classification as a critical issue by security vendors underscores the necessity for immediate remediation efforts, as the window of opportunity for exploitation remains open until all affected systems are patched. Organizations should also review their incident response procedures to ensure readiness for potential exploitation attempts and maintain detailed logging of pdf file access patterns for forensic analysis purposes.