Zero-day vulnerability in Adobe Reader

Heap-based buffer overflow
CVE-2010-1241

According to Symantec the first exploitation of the vulnerability was discovered on 2008-11-29.

Known malware:

Bloodhound.Exploit.293

Vulnerability details

Advisory: SB2010041303 - Multiple vulnerabilities in Adobe Reader and Acrobat

Vulnerable component: Adobe Reader

CVE-ID: CVE-2010-1241

CVSSv3 score: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H/E:F/RL:O/RC:C

CWE-ID: CWE-119 - Memory corruption

Description:

The vulnerability allows a remote attacker to execute arbitrary code on the target system.

The vulnerability exists due to boundary error in the custom heap management system in Adobe Reader and Acrobat. A remote attacker can create a specially crafted PDF file, trick the victim into opening it, trigger heap-based buffer overflow and execute arbitrary code on the target system.

Successful exploitation of this vulnerability may result in complete compromise of vulnerable system.

Note: this vulnerability is being actively exploited in the wild.

External links:

http://www.adobe.com/support/security/bulletins/apsb10-09.html
https://fe-ddis.dk/cfcs/CFCSDocuments/Zeroday.pdf
https://www.symantec.com/security_response/vulnerability.jsp?bid=39470

About zero-day vulnerabilities

Zero-day vulnerability is an undisclosed vulnerability in software that hackers can exploit to compromise computer programs, gain unauthorized access to sensitive data, penetrate networks, etc. We consider vulnerability a zero-day when there is no solution provided from software vendor and the vulnerability is being actively exploited by malicious actors.

Zero-day candidate is a potential zero-day vulnerability in software which might have been used in targeted attacks, however there is no evidence to support this suggestion.