CVE-2024-20755 in Adobe
Summary
by MITRE • 03/18/2024
Bridge versions 13.0.5, 14.0.1 and earlier are affected by a Heap-based Buffer Overflow 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 • 12/04/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-20755 represents a critical heap-based buffer overflow in Bridge software versions 13.0.5, 14.0.1, and earlier. This flaw exists within the memory management mechanisms of the application and specifically targets heap allocation structures that handle file processing operations. The vulnerability stems from inadequate bounds checking during the handling of maliciously crafted input files, creating opportunities for attackers to manipulate memory layout and execute arbitrary code. The affected versions indicate a widespread impact across multiple release branches, suggesting the flaw has been present for an extended period and affects a significant user base. The vulnerability's classification as heap-based indicates that attackers can manipulate heap memory structures to overwrite critical data or execute malicious code sequences.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability requires user interaction through the opening of a malicious file, making it a user-initiated attack vector. This characteristic places the vulnerability in the category of social engineering attacks where user behavior directly enables exploitation. The attack scenario typically involves tricking users into opening specially crafted files that contain malformed data structures designed to trigger the buffer overflow during normal file processing operations. When the vulnerable Bridge application attempts to parse and process the malicious file, it fails to properly validate input boundaries, leading to memory corruption that can be leveraged for code execution. The context of execution remains tied to the current user's privileges, meaning successful exploitation would allow attackers to execute malicious code with the same permissions as the legitimate user.
The operational impact of CVE-2024-20755 extends beyond simple code execution to potentially compromise entire systems through privilege escalation and lateral movement. Attackers exploiting this vulnerability could gain persistent access to systems, establish backdoors, or escalate privileges to administrative levels depending on the user context. The vulnerability affects Bridge versions that are widely deployed across enterprise environments, making organizations particularly susceptible to targeted attacks. Organizations using these software versions face significant risk exposure since the vulnerability requires minimal user interaction to exploit, making it an attractive target for threat actors seeking to compromise systems. The memory corruption nature of the flaw means that exploitation could potentially lead to system crashes, data loss, or complete system compromise depending on the execution environment and system configuration.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2024-20755 should prioritize immediate software updates to versions that have addressed the heap-based buffer overflow vulnerability. System administrators should implement comprehensive patch management procedures to ensure all affected Bridge installations are updated promptly. Additional protective measures include implementing strict file validation mechanisms, deploying application whitelisting solutions, and configuring user access controls to limit file processing capabilities. Network monitoring should be enhanced to detect anomalous file processing activities that could indicate exploitation attempts. Organizations should also consider implementing sandboxing techniques for file processing operations and establishing incident response procedures specifically addressing buffer overflow vulnerabilities. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-121 heap-based buffer overflow patterns and represents a potential ATT&CK technique involving execution through file opening and user interaction. Regular security assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to verify the effectiveness of implemented mitigations and identify additional security gaps in the environment.