Adobe Acrobat Reader DC Search Query Use-After-Free Remote Code Execution Vulnerability
Vulnerability Details
This vulnerability allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code on vulnerable installations of Adobe Acrobat Reader DC. User interaction is required to exploit this vulnerability in that the target must visit a malicious page or open a malicious file.
The specific flaw exists within the Search object. By calling the query method while Adobe Acrobat Reader DC is saving a global variable, an attacker can force a dangling pointer to be reused after it has been freed. An attacker can leverage this vulnerability to execute arbitrary code under the context of the current process.
Additional Details
Adobe has issued an update to correct this vulnerability. More details can be found at:
https://helpx.adobe.com/security/products/acrobat/apsb16-02.html
Disclosure Timeline
- 2015-10-01 - Vulnerability reported to vendor
- 2016-01-12 - Coordinated public release of advisory
Credit
AbdulAziz Hariri and Jasiel Spelman - HPE Zero Day Initiative
