CVE-2019-7965
📋 TL;DR
This CVE describes an out-of-bounds write vulnerability in Adobe Acrobat and Reader that could allow attackers to execute arbitrary code on affected systems. Users of vulnerable versions who open malicious PDF files 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 through arbitrary code execution, potentially leading to data theft, ransomware deployment, or persistent backdoor installation.
Likely Case
Malicious PDF files delivered via email or web downloads lead to system compromise, often as part of targeted attacks or malware campaigns.
If Mitigated
With proper security controls, exploitation attempts are blocked by security software, and impact is limited to isolated application crashes.
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploitation requires user interaction to open a malicious PDF file. The vulnerability is in a core component, making reliable exploitation likely.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: Acrobat DC/Reader DC: 2019.012.20036 and later; Acrobat 2017/Reader 2017: 2017.011.30144 and later; Acrobat 2015/Reader 2015: 2015.006.30499 and later
Vendor Advisory: https://helpx.adobe.com/security/products/acrobat/apsb19-41.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 available updates. 4. Restart the application when prompted.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Disable JavaScript in Adobe Reader
allPrevents JavaScript-based exploitation vectors that might be used in conjunction with this vulnerability
Edit > Preferences > JavaScript > Uncheck 'Enable Acrobat JavaScript'
Use Protected View
allOpen PDFs in Protected View to limit potential damage from malicious files
File > Properties > Security > Enable Protected View at startup
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Restrict PDF file handling to sandboxed environments or virtual machines
- Implement application whitelisting to block unauthorized code execution
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check Help > About Adobe Acrobat/Reader and compare version against affected rangesCheck Version:
On Windows: wmic product where "name like 'Adobe Acrobat%' or name like 'Adobe Reader%'" get name, versionVerify Fix Applied:
Verify version is 2019.012.20036 or later for DC, 2017.011.30144 or later for 2017, or 2015.006.30499 or later for 2015📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Application crashes in Adobe Acrobat/Reader logs
- Unexpected process creation from AcroRd32.exe or Acrobat.exe
Network Indicators:
- PDF downloads from suspicious sources
- Outbound connections from Adobe processes to unknown IPs
SIEM Query:
source="*acrobat*" OR source="*reader*" AND (event_type="crash" OR process_name="cmd.exe" OR process_name="powershell.exe")