CVE-2023-38248 : Security Advisory and Response

Adobe Acrobat Reader versions 23.003.20244 (and earlier) and 20.005.30467 (and earlier) are affected by an out-of-bounds read vulnerability that could lead to the disclosure of sensitive memory. This vulnerability allows an attacker to bypass mitigations like ASLR, requiring user interaction by opening a malicious file.

Understanding CVE-2023-38248

This section delves into the details of CVE-2023-38248 and its implications.

What is CVE-2023-38248?

CVE-2023-38248 is an out-of-bounds read vulnerability affecting Adobe Acrobat Reader, potentially allowing attackers to access sensitive memory by leveraging a malicious file.

The Impact of CVE-2023-38248

The exploitation of this vulnerability could compromise the confidentiality of user data stored in the affected versions of Adobe Acrobat Reader, potentially leading to unauthorized access.

Technical Details of CVE-2023-38248

In this section, we explore the technical aspects of the vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability in Adobe Acrobat Reader leads to an out-of-bounds read, enabling attackers to read sensitive data from memory that could otherwise be protected.

Affected Systems and Versions

Adobe Acrobat Reader versions 23.003.20244 and earlier, along with 20.005.30467 and earlier, are confirmed to be impacted by this vulnerability.

Exploitation Mechanism

To exploit this vulnerability, an attacker needs to entice a victim into opening a crafted malicious file, initiating the out-of-bounds read process.

Mitigation and Prevention

This section covers mitigation strategies to address CVE-2023-38248.

Immediate Steps to Take

Users should update Adobe Acrobat Reader to the latest version available to mitigate the risk of exploitation and potential data exposure.

Long-Term Security Practices

Employing best security practices such as avoiding opening files from unknown or untrusted sources can help prevent similar vulnerabilities from being exploited.

Patching and Updates

Regularly monitoring for security updates from Adobe and promptly applying patches can enhance the security posture and protect against known vulnerabilities.