Red Hat has released a security advisory and updated packages to address the Adobe Reader and Acrobat sandbox bypass arbitrary code execution vulnerability.
Description
Adobe Reader and Acrobat contain a vulnerability that could allow an unauthenticated, remote attacker to cause a denial of service condition or execute arbitrary code on a targeted system.
The vulnerability is due to an unspecified flaw the in the affected software. An unauthenticated, remote attacker could exploit the vulnerability by persuading a user to open a crafted .pdf file. When the .pdf is processed by the affected software, malicious JavaScript could compile and execute arbitrary code or cause the affected software to terminate abnormally. A successful exploit could allow the attacker to cause a DoS condition or execute arbitrary code in the security context of the user running the affected application. If the user holds elevated privileges, the attacker could cause a complete system compromise.
Adobe has confirmed the vulnerability and software updates are available.
Warning Indicators
Adobe Reader and Acrobat versions 11.0.01 and prior, 10.1.5 and prior, 9.5.3 and prior are vulnerable.
IntelliShield Analysis
To exploit the vulnerability, the attacker may provide a link that directs a user to a malicious file and use misleading language or instructions to persuade the user to follow the provided link and open the malicious file.
The CVSS score that functional exploit code exists, and third-party reports indicate the vulnerability is being actively exploited; however, the code is not known to be publicly available.
Red Hat has released an official CVE statement and a security advisory for bug 911099 at the following links: CVE-2013-0641 and RHSA-2013:0551
Impact
An unauthenticated, remote attacker could exploit the vulnerability to cause a DoS condition or execute arbitrary code in the security context of the user running the affected application. If the user holds elevated privileges, the attacker could cause a complete system compromise.
Technical Information
Technical details are unavailable.
Safeguards
Administrators are advised to apply the appropriate updates
Administrators may consider enabling Protected View in the registry and propagating the setting via a Group Policy Object (GPO) to help protect Windows users.
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.
Administrators are advised to monitor affected systems.
Patches/Software
Adobe has released software updates at the following links:
Red Hat has released updated software for registered subscribers at the following link: Red Hat Network. Red Hat packages can be updated on Red Hat Enterprise Linux versions 5 and later using the yum tool.
Alert History
Version 2, February 21, 2013, 11:09 AM: Adobe has released a security advisory and updated software to address the Adobe Reader and Acrobat Sandbox bypass arbitrary code execution vulnerability.
Version 1, February 14, 2013, 9:23 PM: Adobe Reader and Acrobat contain a vulnerability that could allow an unauthenticated, remote
attacker to cause a denial of service condition or execute arbitrary code on a targeted system. Updates are not available.
The security vulnerability applies to the following combinations of products.
Primary Products:
Adobe
Acrobat Professional
10.1 .1, .2, .3, .4, .5, Base | 11.0 .01, Base | 9.5 .1, .2, .3, Base
Adobe
Acrobat Professional Extended
10.1 .1, .2, .3, .4, .5, Base | 11.0 .01, Base | 9.5 .1, .2, .3, Base
Adobe
Acrobat Reader
10.1 .1, .2, .3, .4, .4.38, .5, Base | 11.0 .01, Base | 9.5 .1, .2, .3, Base
Adobe
Acrobat Standard
10.1 .1, .2, .3, .4, .5, Base | 11.0 .01, Base | 9.5 .1, .2, .3, Base
Associated Products:
Red Hat, Inc.
Red Hat Enterprise Linux Desktop Supplementary
5.0 IA-32, x86-64 | 6 IA-32, x86_64
Red Hat, Inc.
Red Hat Enterprise Linux Server Supplementary
6 IA-32, x86_64
Red Hat, Inc.
Red Hat Enterprise Linux Workstation Supplementary
6 IA-32, x86_64
Red Hat, Inc.
RHEL Supplementary
5 IA-32, x86_64
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