Vulnerabilities > CVE-2009-4764 - Code Injection vulnerability in Adobe Acrobat Reader

047910
CVSS 9.3 - CRITICAL
Attack vector
NETWORK
Attack complexity
MEDIUM
Privileges required
NONE
Confidentiality impact
COMPLETE
Integrity impact
COMPLETE
Availability impact
COMPLETE
network
adobe
microsoft
CWE-94
critical

Summary

Adobe Reader 8.x and 9.x on Windows is able to execute EXE files that are embedded in a PDF document, which makes it easier for remote attackers to trick users into executing arbitrary code via a crafted document.

Common Attack Pattern Enumeration and Classification (CAPEC)

  • Leverage Executable Code in Non-Executable Files
    An attack of this type exploits a system's trust in configuration and resource files, when the executable loads the resource (such as an image file or configuration file) the attacker has modified the file to either execute malicious code directly or manipulate the target process (e.g. application server) to execute based on the malicious configuration parameters. Since systems are increasingly interrelated mashing up resources from local and remote sources the possibility of this attack occurring is high. The attack can be directed at a client system, such as causing buffer overrun through loading seemingly benign image files, as in Microsoft Security Bulletin MS04-028 where specially crafted JPEG files could cause a buffer overrun once loaded into the browser. Another example targets clients reading pdf files. In this case the attacker simply appends javascript to the end of a legitimate url for a pdf (http://www.gnucitizen.org/blog/danger-danger-danger/) http://path/to/pdf/file.pdf#whatever_name_you_want=javascript:your_code_here The client assumes that they are reading a pdf, but the attacker has modified the resource and loaded executable javascript into the client's browser process. The attack can also target server processes. The attacker edits the resource or configuration file, for example a web.xml file used to configure security permissions for a J2EE app server, adding role name "public" grants all users with the public role the ability to use the administration functionality. The server trusts its configuration file to be correct, but when they are manipulated, the attacker gains full control.
  • Manipulating User-Controlled Variables
    This attack targets user controlled variables (DEBUG=1, PHP Globals, and So Forth). An attacker can override environment variables leveraging user-supplied, untrusted query variables directly used on the application server without any data sanitization. In extreme cases, the attacker can change variables controlling the business logic of the application. For instance, in languages like PHP, a number of poorly set default configurations may allow the user to override variables.

Oval

accepted2013-08-12T04:09:54.936-04:00
classvulnerability
contributors
  • namePreeti Subramanian
    organizationSecPod Technologies
  • nameSecPod Team
    organizationSecPod Technologies
  • nameSecPod Team
    organizationSecPod Technologies
  • nameShane Shaffer
    organizationG2, Inc.
  • nameSergey Artykhov
    organizationALTX-SOFT
  • nameSergey Artykhov
    organizationALTX-SOFT
  • nameMaria Kedovskaya
    organizationALTX-SOFT
  • nameMaria Kedovskaya
    organizationALTX-SOFT
definition_extensions
  • commentAdobe Reader 8 Series is installed
    ovaloval:org.mitre.oval:def:6390
  • commentAdobe Reader 9 Series is installed
    ovaloval:org.mitre.oval:def:6523
descriptionAdobe Reader 8.x and 9.x on Windows is able to execute EXE files that are embedded in a PDF document, which makes it easier for remote attackers to trick users into executing arbitrary code via a crafted document.
familywindows
idoval:org.mitre.oval:def:6976
statusaccepted
submitted2010-05-18T03:34:03
titleVulnerability in Adobe Reader 8.x and 9.x on Windows - to execute EXE files embedded in a PDF document
version18