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National Cyber Alert System
Technical Cyber Security Alert TA09-286B
Adobe Reader and Acrobat Vulnerabilities
Original release date:
Last revised: --
Source: US-CERT
Systems Affected
* Adobe Reader and Acrobat 9.1.3 and earlier 9.x versions
* Adobe Reader and Acrobat 8.1.6 and earlier 8.x versions
* Adobe Reader and Acrobat 7.1.3 and earlier 7.x versions
Overview
Adobe has released Security bulletin APSB09-15, which describes
multiple vulnerabilities affecting Adobe Reader and Acrobat.
I. Description
Adobe Security Advisory APSB09-15 describes a number of
vulnerabilities affecting Adobe Reader and Acrobat. These
vulnerabilities affect Reader 9.1.3 and earlier 9.x versions,
8.1.6 and earlier 8.x versions, and 7.1.3 and earlier 7.x versions.
An attacker could exploit these vulnerabilities by convincing a
user to open a specially crafted PDF file. The Adobe Reader browser
plug-in is available for multiple Web browsers and operating
systems, which can automatically open PDF documents hosted on a Web
site.
These vulnerabilities are being actively exploited.
II. Impact
These vulnerabilities allow a remote attacker to execute arbitrary
code, write arbitrary files or folders to the filesystem, escalate
local privileges, or cause a denial of service on an affected
system as the result of a user opening a malicious PDF document.
III. Solution
Update
Adobe has released updates to address this issue. Users are
encouraged to read Adobe Security Bulletin APSB09-15 and update
vulnerable versions of Adobe Reader and Acrobat.
Enable Data Execution Prevention (DEP) in Microsoft Windows
Consider enabling Data Execution Prevention (DEP) in supported
versions of Windows. DEP should not be treated as a complete
workaround, but DEP can mitigate the execution of attacker-supplied
code in some cases. Microsoft has published detailed technical
information about DEP in Security Research & Defense blog posts
"Understanding DEP as a mitigation technology" part 1 and part 2.
Use of DEP should be considered in conjunction with the application
of patches or other mitigations described in this document.
Disable JavaScript in Adobe Reader and Acrobat
Disabling JavaScript may prevent some exploits from resulting in
code execution. Acrobat JavaScript can be disabled using the
Preferences menu (Edit -> Preferences -> JavaScript; un-check
Enable Acrobat JavaScript).
Prevent Internet Explorer from automatically opening PDF documents
The installer for Adobe Reader and Acrobat configures Internet
Explorer to automatically open PDF files without any user
interaction. This behavior can be reverted to a safer option that
prompts the user by importing the following as a .REG file:
Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00
[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\AcroExch.Document.7]
"EditFlags"=hex:00,00,00,00
Disable the display of PDF documents in the Web browser
Preventing PDF documents from opening inside a Web browser will
partially mitigate this vulnerability. If this workaround is
applied it may also mitigate future vulnerabilities.
To prevent PDF documents from automatically being opened in a Web
browser, do the following:
1. Open Adobe Acrobat Reader.
2. Open the Edit menu.
3. Choose the preferences option.
4. Choose the Internet section.
5. Un-check the "Display PDF in browser" check box.
Do not access PDF documents from untrusted sources
Do not open unfamiliar or unexpected PDF documents, particularly
those hosted on Web sites or delivered as email attachments. Please
see Cyber Security Tip ST04-010.
IV. References
* APSB09-15 Security Advisory for Adobe Reader and Acrobat -
<http://www.adobe.com/support/security/bulletins/apsb09-15.html>
* Understanding DEP as a mitigation technology part 1 -
<http://blogs.technet.com/srd/archive/2009/06/05/understanding-dep-as-a-mitigation-technology-part-1.aspx>
* Understanding DEP as a mitigation technology part 2 -
<http://blogs.technet.com/srd/archive/2009/06/12/understanding-dep-as-a-mitigation-technology-part-2.aspx>
____________________________________________________________________
The most recent version of this document can be found at:
<http://www.us-cert.gov/cas/techalerts/TA09-286B.html>
____________________________________________________________________
Feedback can be directed to US-CERT Technical Staff. Please send
email to <cert@xxxxxxxx> with "TA09-286B Feedback VU#257117" in
the subject.
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For instructions on subscribing to or unsubscribing from this
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____________________________________________________________________
Produced 2009 by US-CERT, a government organization.
Terms of use:
<http://www.us-cert.gov/legal.html>
____________________________________________________________________
Revision History
October 13, 2009: Initial release
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