This vulnerability allows a heap overflow in Adobe Acrobat Reader DC versions 21.007.20099 and earlier, 20.004.30017 and earlier, and 17.011.30204 and earlier. The vulnerability arises from the insecure handling of crafted files, which can potentially result in arbitrary code execution in the context of the current user. Exploitation of this issue requires user interaction, as a victim must open a malicious file.
The CVSS score for this vulnerability is 7.8, classified as high severity. This rating indicates significant risk to organizations, as successful exploitation could lead to unauthorized access and control over affected systems. Immediate action is recommended to mitigate the impact of this vulnerability.
Currently, there are no known exploits publicly available for this vulnerability, but the potential for exploitation remains. Organizations should prioritize patching this vulnerability in their systems to prevent possible attacks.
Organizations should prioritize patching immediately to address this vulnerability and ensure their systems remain secure.
Vulnerability Details
The official description notes that Acrobat Reader DC versions 21.007.20099 and earlier, 20.004.30017 and earlier, and 17.011.30204 and earlier are affected by this heap overflow vulnerability. The affected products are classified under CWE-122 and CWE-787, indicating the nature of the vulnerability related to improper input validation and buffer management.
The vulnerability is characterized by a CVSS version 3.1 score of 7.8, with high impacts on confidentiality, integrity, and availability due to the nature of the heap overflow. The attack vector is local, and exploitation requires low complexity and no privileges, but user interaction is required.
Technical Analysis
The root cause of this vulnerability lies in the handling of crafted files. The attack vector is local, requiring a user to open a maliciously crafted file that triggers the overflow. The complexity of the attack is low, and it requires no special privileges. However, user interaction is mandatory to initiate the exploit.
The impacts on confidentiality, integrity, and availability are high, indicating that a successful exploit could allow an attacker to execute arbitrary code, potentially leading to a complete compromise of the affected system.
Risk & Impact Analysis
Risk to organizations includes potential unauthorized access to sensitive data, system compromise, and disruption of services. The blast radius for this vulnerability is considerable, especially for organizations using affected versions of Adobe Acrobat Reader. Organizations should assess their exposure and prioritize remediation efforts.
Given the high CVSS score, organizations must address this vulnerability in their priority patch cycle to mitigate risks associated with exploitation.
Exploitation Status
Signal | Status |
|---|---|
Known Exploit | No |
Public PoC | No |
Actively Exploited | No |
Ransomware Use | No |
Affected Versions
The following versions are affected by this vulnerability: Acrobat Reader DC version 21.007.20099 and earlier, 20.004.30017 and earlier, and 17.011.30204 and earlier. Organizations should ensure they upgrade to the latest version to mitigate this risk.
Mitigation & Remediation
To remediate this vulnerability, organizations should apply the latest patches provided by Adobe. Ensure that the systems are updated to versions that are not affected: Acrobat Reader DC version 21.007.20099 or later, 20.004.30017 or later, and 17.011.30204 or later. If immediate patching is not possible, organizations should implement network controls to limit exposure to potentially malicious files.
For guidance on secure configurations and best practices, organizations may refer to the resources on application security assessment.
Detection Guidance
To detect potential exploitation of this vulnerability, organizations should monitor logs for indicators of unusual file access patterns, especially involving Adobe Acrobat products. Behavioral anomalies when opening files should be noted, and network signatures for known malicious files should be implemented.
AppSecure Threat Intelligence Insight
The long-term significance of this vulnerability lies in the continuing evolution of attack techniques targeting user applications. It highlights the importance of maintaining updated software and user awareness regarding file handling. Security teams should take this opportunity to review their security posture and ensure robust defensive measures are in place.
For further reading on application security best practices, explore security testing best practices. Additionally, understanding the implications of privilege escalation can inform better security strategies; read more about this in our article on privilege escalation.
To ensure comprehensive security in a rapidly changing environment, organizations should consider engaging in penetration testing services to identify and remediate vulnerabilities proactively.
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
.webp)