Adobe Acrobat Reader versions 23.003.20244 (and earlier) and 20.005.30467 (and earlier) are affected by an out-of-bounds read vulnerability that could lead to disclosure of sensitive memory. This vulnerability allows attackers to bypass mitigations such as ASLR. Exploitation of this issue requires user interaction in that a victim must open a malicious file.
The CVSS score for this vulnerability is 5.5, classifying it as medium severity. The score indicates that while the attack complexity is low, user interaction is required for exploitation, contributing to its overall risk profile.
Risk to organizations includes potential unauthorized access to sensitive information. The requirement for user interaction may limit the immediate threat, but organizations should not underestimate the risks posed by this vulnerability. Organizations should prioritize patching immediately.
As of the latest update, there are no known exploits associated with this vulnerability, and it is not included in the Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog. However, the low exploitability score suggests that it may be leveraged in future attacks.
Vulnerability Details
This vulnerability allows for an out-of-bounds read, classified under CWE-125. The primary affected products include Adobe Acrobat and Adobe Acrobat Reader, specifically versions 23.003.20244 and earlier for Acrobat, and 20.005.30467 and earlier for Acrobat Reader.
The vulnerability was published on August 10, 2023, and is classified under CVSS version 3.1 with a base score of 5.5 indicating a medium severity. This classification is based on the attack vector being local, requiring low attack complexity, no privileges, and requiring user interaction.
Technical Analysis
The root cause of the vulnerability stems from improper handling of memory during read operations. Attackers may leverage this vulnerability through local means, as it requires the user to interact with the malicious file to trigger the vulnerability.
The attack complexity is assessed as low, indicating that the conditions required for successful exploitation are minimal. While no privileges are needed to exploit this vulnerability, it does require user interaction, which may limit its immediate exploitability.
In terms of confidentiality impact, this vulnerability has a high rating, meaning that successful exploitation could lead to significant data leakage, while integrity and availability impacts are rated as none.
Risk & Impact Analysis
Organizations using affected versions of Adobe Acrobat Reader should be aware of the potential risks associated with this vulnerability. Given the high confidentiality impact, the risk includes unauthorized information disclosure, which could compromise sensitive data.
The urgency for remediation is categorized as medium, and it is recommended that organizations address this vulnerability in their priority patch cycle. Timely application of patches will mitigate the risk of exploitation.
The low exploitability score indicates that, while there are no known exploits at this time, organizations should remain vigilant as the potential for exploitation exists.
Signal | Status |
|---|---|
Known Exploit | No |
Public PoC | No |
Actively Exploited | No |
Ransomware Use | No |
Affected Versions
Adobe Acrobat Reader versions 23.003.20244 and earlier, as well as 20.005.30467 and earlier, are affected by this vulnerability. It is critical that organizations using these products ensure they upgrade to the latest patched versions to mitigate the risk.
Mitigation & Remediation
Organizations should apply the latest patches provided by Adobe to remediate this vulnerability. For detailed information regarding the update, refer to Adobe's release notes. Configuration hardening and network controls should be considered to further mitigate risk, particularly if immediate patching is not feasible.
Detection Guidance
Monitoring for unusual file access patterns or unexpected user interactions with files may help in detecting potential exploitation attempts. Log indicators relating to file openings and application behavior should be closely monitored.
AppSecure Threat Intelligence Insight
The long-term significance of CVE-2023-38232 lies in its representation of the ongoing vulnerabilities associated with user interaction in software applications. This vulnerability serves as a reminder for security teams to prioritize user education and awareness regarding potential threats.
To enhance security posture, organizations should consider implementing robust penetration testing practices that can identify similar weaknesses proactively.
By understanding the patterns of vulnerabilities like CVE-2023-38232, organizations can better prepare for future security challenges.
Additionally, developing a comprehensive vulnerability management program will help organizations address vulnerabilities efficiently and effectively.
Security teams should continuously evaluate their defenses against emerging threats, ensuring they remain one step ahead in this evolving landscape.
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
.webp)