CVE-2019-7128
📋 TL;DR
This CVE describes a type confusion vulnerability in Adobe Acrobat and Reader that could allow attackers to execute arbitrary code on affected systems. Users who open malicious PDF files with vulnerable versions are at risk. The vulnerability affects multiple versions across different release tracks.
💻 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
Malicious PDF files delivered via email or web downloads lead to remote code execution, allowing attackers to install malware, steal credentials, or establish persistence.
If Mitigated
With proper controls like application whitelisting, network segmentation, and user awareness training, impact is limited to isolated incidents with minimal data exposure.
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploitation requires user interaction (opening a malicious PDF) but no authentication. Type confusion vulnerabilities are often reliable for exploitation.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: Acrobat DC/Reader DC: 2019.010.20099 or later; Acrobat 2017/Reader 2017: 2017.011.30128 or later; Acrobat 2015/Reader 2015: 2015.006.30483 or later
Vendor Advisory: https://helpx.adobe.com/security/products/acrobat/apsb19-17.html
Restart Required: Yes
Instructions:
1. Open Adobe Acrobat or Reader. 2. Go to Help > Check for Updates. 3. Follow prompts to download and install updates. 4. Restart the application when prompted.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Disable JavaScript in Adobe Reader
allPrevents JavaScript-based exploitation vectors that might leverage this vulnerability
Edit > Preferences > JavaScript > Uncheck 'Enable Acrobat JavaScript'
Use Protected View
allOpens PDFs in sandboxed mode to limit potential damage
File > Preferences > Security (Enhanced) > Enable Protected View for all files
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Implement application whitelisting to prevent unauthorized executables from running
- Use network segmentation to isolate PDF processing systems from critical assets
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Open Adobe Acrobat/Reader, go to Help > About Adobe Acrobat/Reader, compare version against affected rangesCheck Version:
On Windows: wmic product where name like "%Adobe Acrobat%" get version; On macOS: /Applications/Adobe\ Acrobat\ Reader\ DC.app/Contents/Info.plist | grep -A1 CFBundleShortVersionStringVerify Fix Applied:
Check version number after update - should be 2019.010.20099+, 2017.011.30128+, or 2015.006.30483+ depending on product line📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Adobe crash reports with unusual memory addresses
- Windows Event Logs showing AcroRd32.exe crashes with exception codes
Network Indicators:
- Unusual outbound connections from Adobe Reader processes
- PDF downloads from suspicious sources
SIEM Query:
process_name:"AcroRd32.exe" AND (event_id:1000 OR exception_code:* OR parent_process:explorer.exe) AND file_path:"*.pdf"