CVE-2024-45112
📋 TL;DR
This CVE describes a Type Confusion vulnerability in Adobe Acrobat Reader that could allow arbitrary code execution when a user opens a malicious PDF file. Attackers can exploit this by tricking users into opening specially crafted documents, potentially gaining control of the affected system. Users of Adobe Acrobat Reader versions 24.002.21005, 24.001.30159, 20.005.30655, 24.003.20054 and earlier are affected.
💻 Affected Systems
- Adobe Acrobat Reader DC
- Adobe Acrobat Reader
📦 What is this software?
Acrobat by Adobe
Acrobat by Adobe
⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
Complete system compromise with attacker gaining full control of the victim's computer, allowing data theft, ransomware deployment, or lateral movement within the network.
Likely Case
Malicious actor gains user-level access to the system, enabling data exfiltration, credential theft, and installation of additional malware.
If Mitigated
Limited impact due to application sandboxing, but potential for privilege escalation or bypass of security controls.
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploitation requires user interaction (opening malicious file). Type confusion vulnerabilities typically require sophisticated exploitation techniques.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: Update to version 24.003.20054 or later for continuous track, or 20.005.30655 or later for classic track
Vendor Advisory: https://helpx.adobe.com/security/products/acrobat/apsb24-70.html
Restart Required: Yes
Instructions:
1. Open Adobe Acrobat 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 mode to limit potential damage
File > Open > Select 'Open in Protected View' or enable in Preferences > Security (Enhanced)
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Implement application whitelisting to prevent execution of unauthorized PDF files
- Use network segmentation to isolate PDF processing systems and limit lateral movement
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check Adobe Acrobat Reader version via Help > About Adobe Acrobat Reader DCCheck Version:
On Windows: wmic product where "name like 'Adobe Acrobat Reader%'" get versionVerify Fix Applied:
Verify version is 24.003.20054 or later (continuous track) or 20.005.30655 or later (classic track)📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Unusual process creation from AcroRd32.exe or Acrobat.exe
- Multiple failed PDF parsing attempts
- Unexpected network connections from Adobe Reader processes
Network Indicators:
- Outbound connections from Adobe Reader to suspicious domains
- Unusual DNS queries for PDF-related resources
SIEM Query:
source="windows" AND (process_name="AcroRd32.exe" OR process_name="Acrobat.exe") AND (event_id="4688" OR event_id="1") AND parent_process_name="explorer.exe"