CVE-2023-21611 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

This CVE, assigned by Adobe, highlights a security vulnerability in Adobe Acrobat Reader that could potentially lead to privilege escalation through the creation of temporary files in a directory with incorrect permissions.

Understanding CVE-2023-21611

This section will delve into the nature of the vulnerability, its impacts, technical details, and measures to mitigate and prevent exploitation.

What is CVE-2023-21611?

Adobe Acrobat Reader versions 22.003.20282 (and earlier), 22.003.20281 (and earlier), and 20.005.30418 (and earlier) are susceptible to a 'Creation of Temporary File in Directory with Incorrect Permissions' flaw. This vulnerability could be exploited by an attacker to escalate privileges within the context of the current user. Successful exploitation requires user interaction where a victim unwittingly opens a malicious file.

The Impact of CVE-2023-21611

The impact of this vulnerability is significant, with a CVSS v3.1 base severity rating of 7.8 out of 10 (High). It could lead to unauthorized privilege escalation, potentially compromising the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the affected system.

Technical Details of CVE-2023-21611

Let's explore the technical aspects of this vulnerability, including its description, affected systems, versions, and exploitation mechanism.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability resides in the incorrect handling of temporary files by Adobe Acrobat Reader, allowing an attacker to manipulate these files to escalate privileges.

Affected Systems and Versions

Adobe Acrobat Reader versions 22.003.20282, 22.003.20281, and 20.005.30418 (and earlier) are confirmed to be affected by this vulnerability, potentially impacting users of these versions.

Exploitation Mechanism

To exploit CVE-2023-21611, an attacker would need to craft a malicious file and entice a victim to open it. Through this user interaction, the attacker could succeed in leveraging the vulnerability to escalate privileges on the target system.

Mitigation and Prevention

In light of this security risk, it is crucial to implement immediate steps to reduce exposure and adopt long-term security practices to safeguard against similar vulnerabilities in the future.

Immediate Steps to Take

Users and organizations are advised to exercise caution when interacting with unknown or suspicious files, particularly those received from untrusted sources. It's essential to refrain from opening files of uncertain origin to mitigate the risk of exploitation.

Long-Term Security Practices

Implementing robust security measures, such as regular security updates, user awareness training, and deploying endpoint protection solutions, can enhance the overall security posture of systems and reduce the likelihood of successful exploitation.

Patching and Updates

Adobe has likely released patches or updates to address this vulnerability. It is strongly recommended to apply these security updates promptly to remediate the issue and strengthen the security of Adobe Acrobat Reader installations.