Adobe Reader and Acrobat Vulnerabilities

Original release date: November 04, 2008
Last revised: --
Source: US-CERT

Systems Affected

• Adobe Reader version 8.1.2 and earlier
• Adobe Acrobat (Professional, 3D, and Standard) version 8.1.2 and earlier

Overview

Adobe has released Security Bulletin APSB08-19 to address multiple vulnerabilities affecting Adobe Reader and Acrobat. The most severe of these vulnerabilities could allow a remote attacker to execute arbitrary code.

I. Description

Adobe Security Bulletin APSB08-19 addresses a number of vulnerabilities that affect the Adobe Acrobat family of products, including Adobe Reader. Versions 8.1.2 and earlier are vulnerable. Further details are available in the Vulnerability Notes Database.

An attacker could exploit these vulnerabilities by convincing a user to load a specially crafted Adobe Portable Document Format (PDF) file. Acrobat integrates with popular web browsers, and visiting a website is usually sufficient to cause Acrobat to load PDF content.

II. Impact

The impacts of these vulnerabilities vary. The most severe of these vulnerabilities allows a remote attacker to execute arbitrary code.

III. Solution

Upgrade

According to the information in Adobe Security bulletin APSB08-19, users with version 8 of Adobe Reader or Acrobat should upgrade to version 8.1.3.

Disable web browser display for PDF documents

Preventing PDF documents from opening inside a web browser may mitigate this vulnerability. Applying the following workaround in conjunction with upgrading may prevent similar vulnerabilities from being automatically exploited.

To prevent PDF documents from automatically being opened in a web browser with Acrobat or Reader:

1. Open Adobe Acrobat or Adobe Reader
2. Open the Edit menu
3. Choose the Preferences option
4. Choose the Internet section
5. De-select the "Display PDF in browser" check box

Disable automatic opening of PDF documents in Microsoft Internet Explorer

Disabling automatic opening of PDF files in Microsoft Internet Explorer (IE) requires a second step. To configure IE to prompt before opening a PDF file, disable the "Display PDF in browser" feature (as described above) and then make the following changes to the Windows registry:

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

 [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTAcroExch.Document.7]
"EditFlags"=hex:00,00,00,00

Disable JavaScript in Adobe Reader and Acrobat

Disabling JavaScript in Adobe Reader and Acrobat may prevent this vulnerability from being exploited. In Acrobat Reader, JavaScript can be disabled in the General preferences dialog:

1. Open the Edit menu
2. Choose the Preferences option
3. Choose the JavaScript option
4. De-select "Enable Acrobat JavaScript"

IV. References

• Adobe Security Bulletin APSB08-19 - <http://www.adobe.com/support/security/bulletins/apsb08-19.html>
• US-CERT Vulnerability Notes for Adobe Security Bulletin APSB08-19 - <http://www.kb.cert.org/vuls/byid?searchview&query=APSB08-19>
• Securing Your Web Browser - <http://www.us-cert.gov/reading_room/securing_browser/>

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Revision History

November 04, 2008: Initial release