Multiple Vulnerabilities in Adobe Acrobat and Reader Could Allow for Arbitrary Code Execution (APSB19-49)

MS-ISAC ADVISORY NUMBER:

2019-109

DATE(S) ISSUED:

10/15/2019

OVERVIEW:

Multiple vulnerabilities have been discovered in Adobe Acrobat and Adobe Reader, the most severe of which could allow for arbitrary code execution. Adobe Acrobat and Reader allow a user to view, create, manipulate, print and manage files in Portable Document Format (PDF). Successful exploitation of the most severe of these vulnerabilities could result in the attacker gaining control of the affected system. Depending on the privileges associated with the user, an attacker could then install programs; view, change, or delete data; or create new accounts with full user rights. If this application has been configured to have fewer user rights on the system, exploitation of the most severe of these vulnerabilities could have less impact than if it was configured with administrative rights.

THREAT INTELLIGENCE:

There are no reports of these vulnerabilities being exploited in the wild.

SYSTEMS AFFECTED:

• Acrobat DC (Continuous track) for Windows & macOS version 2019.012.20040 and earlier versions
• Acrobat Reader DC(Continuous track) for Windows & macOS version 2019.012.20040 and earlier versions
• Acrobat 2017(Classic 2017 track) for Windows & macOS version 2017.011.30148 and earlier versions
• Acrobat Reader 2017(Classic 2017 track) for Windows & macOS version 2017.011.30148 and earlier versions
• Acrobat 2015 (Classic 2015 track) for Windows & macOS version 2015.006.30503 and earlier versions
• Acrobat Reader 2015(Classic 2015 track) for Windows & macOS version 2015.006.30503 and earlier versions

RISK:

TECHNICAL SUMMARY:

Multiple vulnerabilities have been discovered in Adobe Acrobat and Adobe Reader, the most severe of which could allow for arbitrary code execution. The vulnerabilities are as follows:

• Multiple Out-of-Bounds Read vulnerabilities that could allow for Information Disclosure. (CVE-2019-8164, CVE-2019-8168, CVE-2019-8172, CVE-2019-8173, CVE-2019-8064, CVE-2019-8182, CVE-2019-8184, CVE-2019-8185, CVE-2019-8189, CVE-2019-8163, CVE-2019-8190, CVE-2019-8193, CVE-2019-8194, CVE-2019-8198, CVE-2019-8201, CVE-2019-8202, CVE-2019-8204, CVE-2019-8207, CVE-2019-8216, CVE-2019-8218, CVE-2019-8222)
• Multiple Out-of-Bounds Write vulnerabilities that could allow for Arbitrary Code Execution. (CVE-2019-8171, CVE-2019-8186, CVE-2019-8165, CVE-2019-8191, CVE-2019-8199, CVE-2019-8206)
• Multiple Use After Free vulnerabilities that could allow for Arbitrary Code Execution. (CVE-2019-8175, CVE-2019-8176, CVE-2019-8177, CVE-2019-8178, CVE-2019-8179, CVE-2019-8180, CVE-2019-8181, CVE-2019-8187, CVE-2019-8188, CVE-2019-8192, CVE-2019-8203, CVE-2019-8208, CVE-2019-8209, CVE-2019-8210, CVE-2019-8211, CVE-2019-8212, CVE-2019-8213, CVE-2019-8214, CVE-2019-8215, CVE-2019-8217, CVE-2019-8219, CVE-2019-8220, CVE-2019-8221, CVE-2019-8223, CVE-2019-8224, CVE-2019-8225)
• Multiple Heap Overflow vulnerabilities that could allow for Arbitrary Code Execution. (CVE-2019-8170, CVE-2019-8183, CVE-2019-8197)
• A Buffer Overrun vulnerability that could allow for Arbitrary Code Execution. (CVE-2019-8166)
• A Cross-site Scripting vulnerability that could allow for Information Disclosure. (CVE-2019-8160)
• A Race Condition vulnerability that could allow for Arbitrary Code Execution. (CVE-2019-8162)
• A Incomplete Implementation of Security Mechanism vulnerability that could allow for Information Disclosure. (CVE-2019-8226)
• Multiple Type Confusion vulnerabilities that could allow for Arbitrary Code Execution. (CVE-2019-8161, CVE-2019-8167, CVE-2019-8169, CVE-2019-8200)
• Multiple Untrusted Pointer Dereference vulnerabilities that could allow for Arbitrary Code Execution. (CVE-2019-8174, CVE-2019-8195, CVE-2019-8196, CVE-2019-8205)

Successful exploitation of the most severe of these vulnerabilities could result in the attacker gaining control of the affected system. Depending on the privileges associated with the user, an attacker could then install programs; view, change, or delete data; or create new accounts with full user rights. If this application has been configured to have fewer user rights on the system, exploitation of the most severe of these vulnerabilities could have less impact than if it was configured with administrative rights.

RECOMMENDATIONS:

We recommend the following actions be taken:

• Install the updates provided by Adobe immediately after appropriate testing.
• Run all software as a non-privileged user (one without administrative privileges) to diminish the effects of a successful attack.
• Remind users not to visit websites or follow links provided by unknown or untrusted sources.
• Inform and educate users regarding the threats posed by hypertext links contained in emails or attachments especially from un-trusted sources.
• Apply the Principle of Least Privilege to all systems and services.

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