CVE-2021-40724 : Exploit Details and Defense Strategies

Adobe Acrobat Reader Android Abritrary Code Execution Vulnerability was published on October 12, 2021. The vulnerability impacts Adobe's Reader Mobile product versions up to 21.8.0, potentially leading to a path traversal issue with severe CVSS metrics.

Understanding CVE-2021-40724

This section provides insights into the nature and implications of the Adobe Acrobat Reader Android Abritrary Code Execution Vulnerability.

What is CVE-2021-40724?

Adobe Acrobat Reader for Android versions 21.8.0 and earlier suffer from a path traversal flaw, allowing unauthenticated attackers to execute arbitrary code in the user's context through a malicious file interaction.

The Impact of CVE-2021-40724

The vulnerability has the following impacts:

CVSS Base Score: 7.8 (High)
Attack Vector: Local
Attack Complexity: Low
User Interaction: Required
Confidentiality, Integrity, and Availability Impact: High

Technical Details of CVE-2021-40724

This section delves into the technical aspects of the CVE-2021-40724 vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability involves improper limitation of file pathname, enabling path traversal, and arbitrary code execution.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: Reader Mobile
Vendor: Adobe
Versions: Up to 21.8.0

Exploitation Mechanism

To exploit the vulnerability, an attacker needs the victim to interact with a malicious file, allowing the execution of arbitrary code.

Mitigation and Prevention

Explore the necessary steps to mitigate and prevent the CVE-2021-40724 vulnerability.

Immediate Steps to Take

Update Adobe Acrobat Reader to the latest version.
Avoid opening files from untrusted sources.
Regularly monitor vendor security advisories.

Long-Term Security Practices

Conduct regular security training on file handling best practices.
Implement file system restrictions to prevent unauthorized access.
Utilize security tools for malware detection and prevention.

Patching and Updates

Ensure timely installation of Adobe security patches and updates to address known vulnerabilities.