CVE-2023-38238 : Security Advisory and Response

Adobe Acrobat Reader versions 23.003.20244 (and earlier) and 20.005.30467 (and earlier) are affected by a Use-After-Free vulnerability that could lead to disclosure of sensitive memory. An attacker could leverage this vulnerability to bypass mitigations such as ASLR. Exploitation of this issue requires user interaction in that a victim must open a malicious file.

Understanding CVE-2023-38238

This CVE refers to a Use-After-Free vulnerability in Adobe Acrobat Reader that could potentially disclose sensitive memory data when exploited.

What is CVE-2023-38238?

CVE-2023-38238 is a Use-After-Free vulnerability in Adobe Acrobat Reader that affects versions 23.003.20244 and 20.005.30467 and earlier. It allows an attacker to exploit and disclose sensitive memory by tricking a user into opening a malicious file.

The Impact of CVE-2023-38238

The impact of CVE-2023-38238 is considered medium with a CVSS base score of 5.5. It poses a high confidentiality impact as an attacker could potentially access sensitive information.

Technical Details of CVE-2023-38238

This section provides technical details including the vulnerability description, affected systems and versions, and the exploitation mechanism.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability in Adobe Acrobat Reader is classified as a Use-After-Free, identified with CWE-416. It allows attackers to access sensitive memory data.

Affected Systems and Versions

Adobe Acrobat Reader versions 23.003.20244 and 20.005.30467, and earlier are affected by this vulnerability.

Exploitation Mechanism

To exploit this vulnerability, an attacker needs to trick a victim into opening a malicious file, requiring user interaction.

Mitigation and Prevention

In this section, we discuss immediate steps to take, long-term security practices, and the importance of patching and updates.

Immediate Steps to Take

Users are advised to update their Adobe Acrobat Reader to the latest version available to mitigate the risk of exploitation. Avoid opening files from unknown or untrusted sources.

Long-Term Security Practices

Practicing good security hygiene, such as regular software updates, maintaining a robust anti-malware solution, and exercising caution while interacting with files and attachments, can help prevent similar vulnerabilities.

Patching and Updates

Adobe has released security advisories to address the Use-After-Free vulnerability in Acrobat Reader versions. Users should apply these patches promptly to protect their systems.