CVE-2023-29299 : Exploit Details and Defense Strategies

Adobe Acrobat Reader versions 23.003.20244 (and earlier) and 20.005.30467 (and earlier) are affected by an Untrusted Search Path vulnerability that could lead to Application denial-of-service. An attacker could leverage this vulnerability if the default PowerShell Set-ExecutionPolicy is set to Unrestricted, making the attack complexity high. Exploitation of this issue requires user interaction in that a victim must open a malicious file.

Understanding CVE-2023-29299

This section provides insights into the impact, technical details, and mitigation of the Adobe Acrobat Reader vulnerability.

What is CVE-2023-29299?

CVE-2023-29299 refers to an Untrusted Search Path vulnerability in Adobe Acrobat Reader versions 23.003.20244 and earlier, and 20.005.30467 and earlier. This flaw could result in Application denial-of-service when exploited by an attacker.

The Impact of CVE-2023-29299

The impact of this vulnerability is considered medium with a CVSS base score of 4.7. Due to the requirement of user interaction, the attack complexity is rated as high. Attackers could exploit this issue by tricking users into opening a malicious file, potentially leading to denial-of-service.

Technical Details of CVE-2023-29299

In this section, we delve into the vulnerability description, affected systems, and the exploitation mechanism.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability arises from an Untrusted Search Path in Adobe Acrobat Reader, allowing attackers to cause a denial-of-service through a specific interaction scenario involving a malicious file.

Affected Systems and Versions

Adobe Acrobat Reader versions 23.003.20244 and earlier, as well as 20.005.30467 and earlier, are susceptible to this Untrusted Search Path vulnerability.

Exploitation Mechanism

Exploiting this vulnerability requires the default PowerShell Set-ExecutionPolicy to be unrestricted, and user interaction is necessary. Attackers could craft files to exploit this flaw and trigger a denial-of-service incident.

Mitigation and Prevention

To mitigate the risks associated with CVE-2023-29299, users need to take immediate steps and adopt long-term security practices.

Immediate Steps to Take

Users are advised to update Adobe Acrobat Reader to the latest secure version, be cautious when opening files from unknown sources, and limit PowerShell execution policies.

Long-Term Security Practices

Establish a robust cybersecurity posture by regularly updating software, implementing security best practices, and educating users on identifying potential threats.

Patching and Updates

Stay informed about security advisories from Adobe and promptly apply patches to address known vulnerabilities and enhance system security.