Advisory Details

November 4th, 2008

Adobe Acrobat PDF Javascript printf Stack Overflow Vulnerability

ZDI-08-072
ZDI-CAN-283

CVE ID CVE-2008-2992
CVSS SCORE
AFFECTED VENDORS Adobe
AFFECTED PRODUCTS Acrobat
VULNERABILITY DETAILS

This vulnerability allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code on vulnerable installations of Adobe Acrobat. User interaction is required to exploit this vulnerability in that the target must visit a malicious page or open a malicious file.

The specific flaw exists in the handling of embedded Javascript code when opening a PDF. Adobe Acrobat has defined it's own set of Javascript functions that can be used in a PDF file. Due to improper parameter checking to one of these functions arbitrary memory can be over-written leading to remote code execution. If successfully exploited remote control of the target system can be gained with the credentials of the logged in user.

ADDITIONAL DETAILS Adobe has issued an update to correct this vulnerability. More details can be found at:
http://www.adobe.com/support/security/bulletins/apsb08-19.html
DISCLOSURE TIMELINE
  • 2008-01-21 - Vulnerability reported to vendor
  • 2008-11-04 - Coordinated public release of advisory
CREDIT Peter Vreugdenhil
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