CVE-2019-16471 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

CVE-2019-16471 is a Use After Free vulnerability in Adobe Acrobat Reader versions 2019.021.20056 and earlier. Exploiting this vulnerability could lead to the execution of arbitrary code within the user's system.

Understanding CVE-2019-16471

What is CVE-2019-16471?

A Use After Free vulnerability has been identified in Adobe Acrobat Reader versions 2019.021.20056 and earlier. This vulnerability could potentially lead to the execution of arbitrary code within the current user's system. Exploiting this vulnerability would require user interaction, specifically the opening of a malicious file.

The Impact of CVE-2019-16471

This vulnerability has a CVSS base score of 7.8, indicating a high severity level. It has a low attack complexity and vector, but high impacts on confidentiality, integrity, and availability.

Technical Details of CVE-2019-16471

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability is classified as a Use After Free (CWE-416) issue.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: Acrobat Reader
Vendor: Adobe
Versions Affected: up to 2019.021.20056

Exploitation Mechanism

Attack Complexity: Low
Attack Vector: Local
User Interaction: Required

Mitigation and Prevention

Immediate Steps to Take

Update Adobe Acrobat Reader to the latest version.
Avoid opening files from untrusted or unknown sources.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update software and applications to patch known vulnerabilities.
Educate users on safe browsing habits and file handling practices.

Patching and Updates

Adobe has released a security advisory with patches for this vulnerability.