Sun has re-released an alert notification with updated software to address the Adobe Acrobat and Reader remote arbitrary code execution vulnerability.
Description
Adobe Acrobat and Reader contain a vulnerability that could allow an unauthenticated, remote attacker to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the user.
The vulnerability is due to a lack of boundary checking in the affected products. An unauthenticated, remote attacker could exploit this vulnerability by convincing a targeted user to view a crafted .pdf file with affected software. Opening the malicious file could trigger a buffer overflow that is exploitable for code execution with the privileges of the user.
Functional exploit code is circulating in the wild.
Adobe has confirmed this vulnerability and released updated software.
Warning Indicators
The following Adobe Products are vulnerable:
Adobe Acrobat Reader versions 9.1.3 and prior
Adobe Acrobat Professional versions 9.1.3 and prior
Adobe Acrobat Professional Extended versions 9.1.3 and prior
Adobe Acrobat Standard versions 9.1.3 and prior
Adobe Acrobat Reader versions 8.1.6 and prior
Adobe Acrobat Professional versions 8.1.6 and prior
Adobe Acrobat Standard versions 8.1.6 and prior
Adobe Acrobat 3D versions 8.1.6 and prior
Adobe Acrobat Reader versions 7.1.3 and prior
Adobe Acrobat Professional versions 7.1.3 and prior
Adobe Acrobat Standard versions 7.1.3 and prior
Adobe Acrobat 3D versions 7.1.3 and prior
IntelliShield Analysis
To exploit the vulnerability, an attacker must persuade a user to view a malicious .pdf file. The attacker may provide a file to the user as part of an e-mail message or host the file on a website and use social engineering techniques to persuade the targeted user to view the malicious file.
The vulnerability affects the Windows, Macintosh, and UNIX platforms. Exploits targeting the Windows platform are known to be occurring in the wild. Users of Windows Vista can protect against this vulnerability by enabling Data Execution Prevention (DEP) protection. Disabling JavaScript may help mitigate the vulnerability, but exploits that do not use JavaScript are also a possibility.
Vendor Announcements
Adobe has re-released a security advisory at the following link: APSB09-15
Red Hat has released a security advisory at the following link: RHSA-2009:1499
Sun has re-released an alert notification at the following link: 270669
Impact
An unauthenticated, remote attacker could exploit this vulnerability to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the user. If the user holds administrative rights, this could result in a full system compromise.
Technical Information
The vulnerability is due to a heap-based buffer overflow in the affected products. Additional technical information is not available.
Safeguards
Administrators are advised to apply the appropriate updates.
Users are advised not to open e-mail messages from suspicious or unrecognized sources. If users cannot verify that links or attachments included in e-mail messages are safe, they are advised not to open them.
Users are advised not to visit websites or follow links that have suspicious characteristics or cannot be verified as safe.
Patches/Software
Adobe has released updated software at the following links:
Version 5, October 26, 2009, 10:10 AM: Sun has released an alert notification to address the Adobe Acrobat and Reader remote arbitrary code execution vulnerability.
Version 4, October 14, 2009, 5:26 PM: Red Hat has released a security advisory and software updates to address the Adobe Acrobat and Reader remote arbitrary code execution vulnerability.
Version 3, October 13, 2009, 5:58 PM: Adobe has re-released a security advisory along with software updates to address the Adobe Acrobat and Reader remote arbitrary code execution vulnerability.
Version 2, October 9, 2009, 4:46 PM: Adobe has released a security advisory regarding the Adobe Acrobat and Reader remote arbitrary code execution vulnerability.
Version 1, October 8, 2009, 5:57 PM: Adobe Acrobat and Reader contain a vulnerability that could allow an unauthenticated, remote attacker to execute arbitrary code with user privileges. Updates are not available.
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