CVE-2019-8167
📋 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. Successful exploitation occurs when users open specially crafted PDF files, potentially leading to complete system compromise. All users running vulnerable versions of Adobe Acrobat or Reader are affected.
💻 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 takeover with administrative privileges, data theft, ransomware deployment, and lateral movement within networks.
Likely Case
Malicious code execution in the context of the current user, potentially leading to credential theft, data exfiltration, and installation of persistent malware.
If Mitigated
Limited impact with proper application sandboxing, restricted user privileges, and network segmentation preventing lateral movement.
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploitation requires user interaction (opening a malicious PDF). No public exploit code was available at disclosure time.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: 2019.012.20048, 2017.011.30156, 2015.006.30511 or later
Vendor Advisory: https://helpx.adobe.com/security/products/acrobat/apsb19-49.html
Restart Required: Yes
Instructions:
1. Open Adobe Acrobat or Reader. 2. Navigate 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 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 executables
- Restrict user privileges to standard user accounts (not administrator)
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check Adobe Acrobat/Reader version via Help > About Adobe Acrobat/Reader and compare against affected versionsCheck Version:
Windows: wmic product where "name like 'Adobe Acrobat%' or name like 'Adobe Reader%'" get version
macOS: /usr/bin/mdls -name kMDItemVersion /Applications/Adobe\ Acrobat*.appVerify Fix Applied:
Verify version is 2019.012.20048+, 2017.011.30156+, or 2015.006.30511+📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Adobe crash reports with suspicious memory addresses
- Windows Event Logs showing AcroRd32.exe crashes with exception codes
Network Indicators:
- Unexpected outbound connections from Acrobat/Reader processes
- DNS requests to suspicious domains after PDF opening
SIEM Query:
process_name:AcroRd32.exe AND (event_id:1000 OR exception_code:* OR command_line:*".pdf")