CVE-2023-21581 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

This CVE record details an out-of-bounds read information disclosure vulnerability in Adobe Acrobat Reader DC font parsing that could allow an attacker to access sensitive memory, potentially bypassing mitigation measures like ASLR.

Understanding CVE-2023-21581

This vulnerability affects Adobe Acrobat Reader versions 22.003.20282 and earlier, 22.003.20281 and earlier, as well as 20.005.30418 and earlier. It requires user interaction, as the exploitation involves the victim opening a malicious file.

What is CVE-2023-21581?

CVE-2023-21581 is an out-of-bounds read vulnerability in Adobe Acrobat Reader DC font parsing that could enable an attacker to disclose sensitive memory. The exploitation of this vulnerability has the potential to bypass certain security mitigations, such as ASLR.

The Impact of CVE-2023-21581

The impact of this vulnerability is rated as medium severity, with a CVSSv3 base score of 5.5. If successfully exploited, it could lead to the disclosure of sensitive information stored in memory, posing a threat to confidentiality.

Technical Details of CVE-2023-21581

This section provides more in-depth information about the vulnerability, including its description, affected systems and versions, and the exploitation mechanism.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability in Adobe Acrobat Reader DC font parsing allows for an out-of-bounds read, potentially leading to the disclosure of sensitive memory contents.

Affected Systems and Versions

Adobe Acrobat Reader versions 20.005.30418 and earlier, 22.003.20282 and earlier, as well as 22.003.20281 and earlier, are confirmed to be affected by CVE-2023-21581.

Exploitation Mechanism

To exploit this vulnerability, an attacker would need to entice a victim to open a malicious file. This user interaction is a critical component of the exploitation process.

Mitigation and Prevention

Protecting systems from CVE-2023-21581 requires immediate action to reduce the risk of exploitation and implement long-term security practices to safeguard against such vulnerabilities in the future.

Immediate Steps to Take

Users of Adobe Acrobat Reader are advised to update to the latest version to mitigate the risk of exploitation. Additionally, exercising caution while opening files from untrusted sources can help prevent the execution of malicious code.

Long-Term Security Practices

Maintaining up-to-date software versions, implementing security best practices, and educating users about potential threats can enhance overall cybersecurity posture and reduce the likelihood of successful attacks.

Patching and Updates

Adobe has released security updates to address CVE-2023-21581. Users should promptly install these patches to remediate the vulnerability and enhance the security of their systems.