CVE-2023-21614 : Exploit Details and Defense Strategies

This CVE record pertains to an information disclosure vulnerability in Adobe Acrobat Reader DC related to font parsing, potentially leading to sensitive memory disclosure.

Understanding CVE-2023-21614

This vulnerability affects Adobe Acrobat Reader versions 22.003.20282 and earlier, 22.003.20281 and earlier, and 20.005.30418 and earlier. It involves an out-of-bounds read vulnerability that could expose sensitive memory, allowing an attacker to bypass mitigations like ASLR.

What is CVE-2023-21614?

CVE-2023-21614 is an out-of-bounds read vulnerability (CWE-125) in Adobe Acrobat Reader DC. When exploited, it could result in the disclosure of sensitive memory, potentially compromising user data.

The Impact of CVE-2023-21614

The impact of this vulnerability is rated as medium severity. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability through a specially crafted file, requiring user interaction to open the malicious content. The exploitation could lead to the disclosure of sensitive information stored in memory.

Technical Details of CVE-2023-21614

This section delves into the specifics of the vulnerability, the affected systems and versions, as well as the exploitation mechanism.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability involves an out-of-bounds read issue in font parsing functionality within Adobe Acrobat Reader. This flaw could allow an attacker to read sensitive memory beyond the allocated buffer, potentially leading to data exposure.

Affected Systems and Versions

The following Adobe Acrobat Reader versions are impacted:

Versions less than or equal to 20.005.30418
Versions less than or equal to 22.003.20282
Versions less than or equal to 22.003.20281

Exploitation Mechanism

To exploit CVE-2023-21614, the attacker needs to entice a victim into opening a malicious file. By leveraging the vulnerability, the attacker could bypass certain security mitigations and access sensitive memory contents.

Mitigation and Prevention

To address the CVE-2023-21614 vulnerability, immediate steps and long-term security practices should be implemented along with applying relevant patches and updates.

Immediate Steps to Take

Users should exercise caution when opening files from untrusted sources and be wary of unexpected or suspicious documents. Additionally, consider updating Adobe Acrobat Reader to the latest secure version.

Long-Term Security Practices

Maintaining an updated software environment, implementing security best practices, and educating users on safe computing habits are crucial for enhancing overall cybersecurity resilience.

Patching and Updates

Adobe has likely released a security update to address this vulnerability. Ensure that Adobe Acrobat Reader is updated to the latest version to mitigate the risk of exploitation associated with CVE-2023-21614.