CVE-2019-8199
📋 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 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, enabling 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 to open a malicious PDF file. The vulnerability is in the core PDF parsing functionality.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: Update to versions after 2019.012.20040, 2017.011.30148, or 2015.006.30503 depending on your track
Vendor Advisory: https://helpx.adobe.com/security/products/acrobat/apsb19-49.html
Restart Required: Yes
Instructions:
1. Open Adobe Acrobat or Reader. 2. Go to Help > Check for Updates. 3. Follow prompts to install available updates. 4. Restart the application when prompted. 5. Verify update by checking Help > About Adobe Acrobat/Reader.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Disable JavaScript in Adobe Reader
allDisabling JavaScript reduces attack surface as many PDF exploits rely on JavaScript execution
Edit > Preferences > JavaScript > Uncheck 'Enable Acrobat JavaScript'
Use Protected View
allEnable Protected View for files from potentially unsafe locations
Edit > Preferences > Security (Enhanced) > Enable Protected View at startup
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Implement application whitelisting to prevent execution of unauthorized PDF readers
- Deploy network segmentation to isolate systems running vulnerable versions from critical assets
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Open Adobe Acrobat/Reader, go to Help > About Adobe Acrobat/Reader and compare version against affected rangesCheck Version:
On Windows: wmic product where "name like 'Adobe Acrobat%'" get versionVerify Fix Applied:
Check version number after update - should be higher than affected versions listed in advisory📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Process creation from Acrobat/Reader with unusual command lines
- Crash logs from Acrobat/Reader with memory corruption indicators
- Unusual file access patterns from PDF reader processes
Network Indicators:
- Outbound connections from Acrobat/Reader processes to unknown IPs
- DNS requests for suspicious domains following PDF file opening
SIEM Query:
process_name:"AcroRd32.exe" OR process_name:"Acrobat.exe" AND (parent_process:explorer.exe OR cmdline:*http* OR cmdline:*powershell*)