Adobe Acrobat Reader versions 24.005.20307, 24.001.30213, 24.001.30193, 20.005.30730, 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. The CVSS score of 7.8 indicates a high-severity vulnerability, which necessitates immediate attention from security teams.
Risk to organizations includes potential unauthorized access and system compromise, making it crucial for users to be aware of the implications of this vulnerability. Given that exploitation requires user interaction, organizations must educate their users on the risks associated with opening untrusted files.
As of now, there is no known public exploit available for this vulnerability, and it is not listed in the Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog. However, organizations should prioritize patching immediately to mitigate any potential risks.
Security teams should ensure that all affected versions are updated to the latest releases provided by Adobe to eliminate this security risk.
Vulnerability Details
The vulnerability classified under CWE-416 (Use After Free) poses significant risks due to its potential for arbitrary code execution. The affected products include Acrobat, Acrobat DC, Acrobat Reader, and Acrobat Reader DC, with a CVSS score of 7.8 indicating a high severity level. This vulnerability was published on December 10, 2024, and the analysis indicates that user interaction is required for exploitation.
Technical Analysis
The root cause of this vulnerability lies in how Adobe Acrobat Reader handles memory management. It allows references to memory that has already been freed, leading to potential arbitrary code execution. The attack vector is local, meaning that an attacker must have access to the system where the vulnerable application is installed. The attack complexity is classified as low, and no privileges are required for exploitation; user interaction is mandatory, as the victim must open a malicious file.
Risk & Impact Analysis
Real-world deployment risk is significant, given the widespread use of Adobe Acrobat Reader in various organizations. The potential for unauthorized access and data breaches increases the urgency for organizations to address this vulnerability. The blast radius for exploitation could extend to sensitive information and operational continuity. Organizations should prioritize patching as part of their security measures, considering the CVSS score of 7.8 and the need for user interaction.
Exploitation Status
Signal | Status |
|---|---|
Known Exploit | No |
Public PoC | No |
Actively Exploited | No |
Ransomware Use | No |
Affected Versions
The affected versions of Adobe Acrobat Reader include: 24.005.20307, 24.001.30213, 24.001.30193, 20.005.30730, and 20.005.30710, as well as all versions prior to the vendor patch 20.005.30748 for Acrobat and 24.005.20320 for Acrobat Reader DC.
Mitigation & Remediation
Organizations should prioritize patching by upgrading to the latest versions of Adobe Acrobat Reader. Specific patches are available that address this vulnerability. If immediate patching is not feasible, consider implementing workarounds such as restricting the ability to open files from untrusted sources. For more comprehensive security measures, organizations may benefit from engaging in penetration testing to identify and remediate similar vulnerabilities.
Detection Guidance
Organizations should monitor their systems for log indicators related to the execution of Adobe Acrobat Reader, especially during user interactions that involve file openings. Behavioral anomalies, such as unexpected crashes, should be logged and analyzed to identify potential exploitation attempts.
AppSecure Threat Intelligence Insight
The long-term significance of CVE-2024-49530 lies in its potential for exploitation in scenarios where user interaction is commonplace, such as in corporate environments. This highlights the ongoing need for user education on the dangers of opening files from unknown sources. Organizations should also consider adopting a proactive security posture by implementing comprehensive application security assessments, including application security assessments, regular offensive security testing, and ongoing continuous security testing to ensure that similar vulnerabilities are identified and mitigated swiftly.
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
.webp)