Adobe Acrobat Reader versions 23.006.20360 (and earlier) and 20.005.30524 (and earlier) are affected by a Use After Free 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. This vulnerability holds a CVSS score of 7.8, categorizing it as high severity, indicating it could pose significant risks to users and organizations.
Risk to organizations includes unauthorized access and potential data breaches, especially in environments where users frequently open documents from untrusted sources. Attackers may leverage this vulnerability to execute arbitrary code, potentially leading to a full system compromise.
Given the nature of this vulnerability, organizations should prioritize patching immediately. Users should be advised against opening files from unknown or untrusted sources until remediation is implemented.
The vulnerability was published on November 16, 2023, and has been assigned a CWE classification of CWE-416, which refers to Use After Free vulnerabilities. This underscores the importance of proper memory management in applications.
Vulnerability Details
The vulnerability allows for the execution of arbitrary code due to improper handling of memory. Affected products include Adobe Acrobat and Acrobat Reader versions as specified in the CVE data. The CVSS vector is CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H, indicating a local attack vector, low attack complexity, no privileges required, and mandatory user interaction.
Technical Analysis
The root cause of this vulnerability stems from a Use After Free condition, where memory that has already been released is accessed again. This can lead to arbitrary code execution by an attacker if they can control the data being accessed. The attack vector is local, as it requires the user to open a specially crafted file. The attack complexity is low, and no privileges are required to exploit the vulnerability, making it relatively easy for attackers to execute.
User interaction is required, which means that the victim must be tricked into opening a malicious file. The impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability is high, as successful exploitation could allow an attacker to execute code with the same privileges as the user.
Risk & Impact Analysis
Real-world deployment risk is significant due to the common use of Adobe Acrobat Reader in various organizational environments. The potential blast radius is extensive, as many users may inadvertently open malicious files, leading to widespread impact across an organization. Organizations should assess the urgency based on the CVSS score and prioritize remediation, given the high risk associated with this vulnerability.
With an exploitability score indicating that this vulnerability is actively being targeted, organizations must act swiftly. The urgency for remediation is underscored by the potential for data breaches and unauthorized access.
Exploitation Status
Signal | Status |
|---|---|
Known Exploit | Yes |
Public PoC | Yes |
Actively Exploited | No |
Ransomware Use | No |
Affected Versions
The affected versions include Adobe Acrobat Reader versions 23.006.20360 (and earlier) and 20.005.30524 (and earlier). Additional affected products include Acrobat DC and Acrobat Reader DC versions prior to 23.006.20380.
Mitigation & Remediation
Organizations should implement patches for the affected versions immediately. It is also recommended to educate users about the risks of opening untrusted files. For those unable to patch immediately, consider restricting access to untrusted files through network controls and applying configuration hardening where possible. Regular monitoring for unusual activity can further enhance security.
For more comprehensive security measures, organizations can consider utilizing penetration testing to assess their security posture.
Detection Guidance
To detect potential exploitation of this vulnerability, organizations should monitor logs for indicators of unauthorized file access and execution attempts. Behavioral anomalies in user activity, particularly concerning file access, can be critical indicators. Implementing network signatures that can identify malicious file types or behaviors associated with known exploits may also be beneficial.
AppSecure Threat Intelligence Insight
This vulnerability represents a critical lesson in the importance of memory management in software development. The presence of a public PoC indicates that awareness of this vulnerability is rising, and organizations must remain vigilant. Security teams should take this opportunity to review their existing security policies and implementation strategies. Lessons learned from similar incidents highlight the need for continuous security assessments and updating training programs for users.
For insights on securing applications against such vulnerabilities, organizations can refer to the following resources: penetration testing methodology, vulnerability management program, and web application penetration testing best practices.
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
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