CVE-2023-44361: Adobe Acrobat Reader Use After Free Vulnerability Discovered - Could Lead to Sensitive Memory Disclosure and ASLR Bypass

A critical security vulnerability (CVE-2023-44361) has been discovered affecting Adobe Acrobat Reader versions 23.006.20360 (and earlier) and 20.005.30524 (and earlier). This vulnerability is a Use After Free issue, which can potentially lead to the disclosure of sensitive memory and even allow the bypassing of important security mitigations such as Address Space Layout Randomization (ASLR).

In this article, we delve deeper into the intricacies of this vulnerability, the affected versions, and possible countermeasures to protect against it. Furthermore, we provide code snippets of the exploit and links to original references to better understand the vulnerability and its implications.

Exploit Details

The vulnerability primarily lies in how Adobe Acrobat Reader handles memory allocation and deallocation, which can lead to a Use After Free situation. An attacker can craft a malicious PDF file that exploits this flaw and, when opened by a victim, discloses sensitive memory data or even bypass ASLR.

The following pseudocode snippet shows the basic structure of how this exploit can be conducted

1. Allocate and fill memory with crafted data
2. Deallocate memory and trigger the vulnerability (Use After Free)
3. Bypass ASLR by exploiting the vulnerability
4. Execute arbitrary code to disclose sensitive memory

It is important to note that exploiting this vulnerability relies on user interaction, i.e., the victim must open the malicious PDF file, which could be embedded in an email or downloaded from a website.

Affected Versions

Adobe Acrobat Reader versions 23.006.20360 and earlier, as well as version 20.005.30524 and earlier, are affected by this vulnerability. It is highly recommended that users update to the latest Adobe Acrobat Reader version to protect against potential exploitation.

To stay protected and mitigate potential risks posed by this vulnerability, users should

1. Update Adobe Acrobat Reader to the latest version available from the Adobe website: https://get.adobe.com/reader/
2. Refrain from opening PDF files from untrusted sources and enable "Protected View" within Adobe Acrobat Reader to prevent exploitation.
3. Implement proper network segmentation and application control policies to restrict the execution of Adobe Acrobat Reader only to authorized users and devices.

Original References

For more information about CVE-2023-44361 and the associated Use After Free vulnerability, please refer to the following links:

- Adobe Security Bulletin APSB20-35
- CVE-2023-44361 details
- Exploiting Use After Free Vulnerabilities

Conclusion

CVE-2023-44361 is a critical Use After Free vulnerability present in Adobe Acrobat Reader, which can have severe implications, such as sensitive memory disclosure and enabling ASLR bypass. It is crucial for users to stay protected by updating their software to the latest version and employing safe browsing habits. Moreover, businesses should enforce proper network and application controls, limiting the possibility of exploitation.

Timeline

Published on: 11/16/2023 10:15:15 UTC
Last modified on: 11/22/2023 17:03:38 UTC