CVE-2019-16464
📋 TL;DR
This CVE describes a use-after-free vulnerability in Adobe Acrobat and Reader that could allow attackers to execute arbitrary code on affected systems. The vulnerability affects multiple versions across different release tracks. Successful exploitation requires a user to open a malicious PDF file.
💻 Affected Systems
- Adobe Acrobat DC
- Adobe Acrobat Reader DC
- Adobe Acrobat 2017
- Adobe Acrobat Reader 2017
- Adobe Acrobat 2015
- Adobe Acrobat Reader 2015
📦 What is this software?
⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
Complete system compromise with attacker gaining full control of the affected system, potentially leading to data theft, ransomware deployment, or lateral movement within the network.
Likely Case
Local privilege escalation or remote code execution when a user opens a malicious PDF, leading to malware installation or credential theft.
If Mitigated
Limited impact if proper application whitelisting, PDF sandboxing, and user awareness training prevent malicious PDF execution.
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploitation requires user interaction (opening a malicious PDF). Multiple proof-of-concept exploits have been published since disclosure.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: Acrobat DC: 2019.021.20061, Acrobat 2017: 2017.011.30156, Acrobat 2015: 2015.006.30510
Vendor Advisory: https://helpx.adobe.com/security/products/acrobat/apsb19-55.html
Restart Required: Yes
Instructions:
1. Open Adobe Acrobat or Reader. 2. Navigate to Help > Check for Updates. 3. Follow the prompts to download and install the latest version. 4. Restart the application when prompted.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Disable JavaScript in Adobe Reader
allPrevents JavaScript-based exploitation vectors in PDF files
Edit > Preferences > JavaScript > Uncheck 'Enable Acrobat JavaScript'
Use Protected View
allForces PDFs to open in sandboxed Protected View mode
Edit > Preferences > Security (Enhanced) > Check 'Enable Protected View at startup'
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Implement application whitelisting to block unauthorized PDF readers
- Use network segmentation to isolate systems running vulnerable versions
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check Help > About Adobe Acrobat/Reader and compare version numbers to affected rangesCheck Version:
On Windows: wmic product where name like "%Adobe Acrobat%" get versionVerify Fix Applied:
Verify version is equal to or greater than the patched versions listed in the fix section📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Application crashes in Adobe Acrobat/Reader logs
- Unexpected child processes spawned from AcroRd32.exe or Acrobat.exe
Network Indicators:
- Outbound connections from Adobe processes to unknown IPs
- DNS requests for suspicious domains following PDF opening
SIEM Query:
process_name:AcroRd32.exe AND (event_id:1000 OR parent_process:explorer.exe)