CVE-2024-39379: Out-of-Bounds Read Vulnerability Leading to Arbitrary File System Read Access in Acrobat for Edge Versions 126..2592.81 and Earlier

A newly discovered vulnerability, indexed as CVE-2024-39379, affects Acrobat Reader for Microsoft Edge, specifically versions 126..2592.81 and earlier. This serious security flaw can lead to out-of-bounds read vulnerability, potentially giving an attacker arbitrary file system read access. Consequently, this exploit could result in sensitive information disclosure by reading contents from a location in memory past the buffer boundary. It's crucial to note that the exploitation of this vulnerability requires user interaction – the victim must open a malicious file.

A simplified code snippet demonstrating the out-of-bounds read vulnerability could look like this

#include <stdio.h>
#include <stdlib.h>
#include <string.h>

void vulnerable_function(char *data)
{
    char buffer[100];
    unsigned int out_of_bounds_index = 110;

    memcpy(buffer, data, out_of_bounds_index); //Out-of-bounds read vulnerability
}

int main()
{
    char malicious_data[110] = "....."; // Malicious payload
    vulnerable_function(malicious_data);

    return ;
}

Exploitation Details

For an attacker to exploit CVE-2024-39379, they would need to create a specially crafted file containing malicious code that, when opened by a victim using affected Acrobat Reader for Microsoft Edge versions, would trigger the out-of-bounds read vulnerability. This could subsequently lead to arbitrary file system read access as well as the potential for sensitive information disclosure.

To mitigate the impact of CVE-2024-39379 vulnerability, users should

1. Update Acrobat Reader for Microsoft Edge to the latest version provided by Adobe: Acrobat Reader for Microsoft Edge Update
2. Exercise caution when opening files from untrusted sources, considering to always verify the source before opening any attachments.
3. Configure your operating system and software to automatically update with security patches, ensuring that your system remains secure from known vulnerabilities.

Original References

For more information on the CVE-2024-39379 vulnerability and related advisories, please visit the following resources:

- CVE-2024-39379 Details and Updates
- Adobe Security Bulletin
- NIST National Vulnerability Database (NVD) entry

Conclusion

The CVE-2024-39379 vulnerability in Acrobat Reader for Microsoft Edge (versions 126..2592.81 and earlier) is a serious security threat that requires immediate attention. By exploiting the out-of-bounds read vulnerability, an attacker may gain arbitrary file system read access and potentially access sensitive information. While exploitation of this issue does require user interaction, it's vital to protect your system by updating Acrobat Reader for Microsoft Edge, taking extra precautions when opening files from unknown sources, and ensuring that your software is consistently updated with security patches.

Timeline

Published on: 07/31/2024 13:15:10 UTC
Last modified on: 08/01/2024 12:42:36 UTC