CVE-2023-38244 : Exploit Details and Defense Strategies

This article provides detailed information about CVE-2023-38244, a vulnerability in Adobe Acrobat Reader that could lead to the disclosure of sensitive memory.

Understanding CVE-2023-38244

This section delves into the impact, technical details, and mitigation strategies related to the CVE-2023-38244 vulnerability.

What is CVE-2023-38244?

The vulnerability affects Adobe Acrobat Reader versions 23.003.20244 (and earlier) and 20.005.30467 (and earlier). It involves an out-of-bounds read vulnerability that may result in the disclosure of sensitive memory, allowing an attacker to bypass mitigations like ASLR.

The Impact of CVE-2023-38244

Exploitation of this issue requires user interaction, where a victim needs to open a malicious file. The vulnerability has a CVSS v3.1 base score of 5.5, indicating a medium severity level with high confidentiality impact.

Technical Details of CVE-2023-38244

This section explores the vulnerability description, affected systems, and exploitation mechanism of CVE-2023-38244.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability in Adobe Acrobat Reader DC Font Parsing leads to an out-of-bounds read, giving attackers the ability to disclose sensitive memory.

Affected Systems and Versions

Adobe Acrobat Reader versions 23.003.20244 (and earlier) and 20.005.30467 (and earlier) are vulnerable to this exploit.

Exploitation Mechanism

To exploit the vulnerability, an attacker would need to trick a user into opening a specially crafted file, triggering the out-of-bounds read and potentially leading to the disclosure of sensitive data.

Mitigation and Prevention

This section outlines steps to take immediately and long-term security practices to mitigate the risks associated with CVE-2023-38244.

Immediate Steps to Take

Users should update Adobe Acrobat Reader to the latest version as soon as possible to patch the vulnerability. Be cautious when opening files from unknown or untrusted sources.

Long-Term Security Practices

Establish a robust security policy that includes regular software updates, user awareness training on phishing and malicious files, and the implementation of endpoint security solutions.

Patching and Updates

Adobe has released a security advisory addressing this vulnerability. Ensure that you promptly apply the recommended patches and updates from Adobe to secure your systems.