CVE-2018-12801 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

Adobe Acrobat and Reader versions 2018.011.20058 and earlier, 2017.011.30099 and earlier, and 2015.006.30448 and earlier are affected by an out-of-bounds read vulnerability that could lead to the disclosure of sensitive information.

Understanding CVE-2018-12801

What is CVE-2018-12801?

CVE-2018-12801 is an out-of-bounds read vulnerability found in earlier versions of Adobe Acrobat and Reader, potentially allowing attackers to access sensitive data.

The Impact of CVE-2018-12801

If successfully exploited, this vulnerability could result in the disclosure of sensitive information stored on the affected systems.

Technical Details of CVE-2018-12801

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability in Adobe Acrobat and Reader versions mentioned allows for an out-of-bounds read, enabling unauthorized access to sensitive data.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: Acrobat and Reader
Vendor: Adobe
Versions Affected: 2018.011.20058 and earlier, 2017.011.30099 and earlier, 2015.006.30448 and earlier

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers can exploit this vulnerability to read data beyond the boundaries of allocated memory, potentially accessing sensitive information.

Mitigation and Prevention

Immediate Steps to Take

Update Adobe Acrobat and Reader to the latest version to patch the vulnerability.
Monitor official security advisories from Adobe for any further instructions.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update software and applications to mitigate potential security risks.
Implement access controls and data encryption to protect sensitive information.

Patching and Updates

Apply security patches and updates provided by Adobe promptly to address known vulnerabilities.