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National Cyber Alert System
Technical Cyber Security Alert TA10-103C
Adobe Reader and Acrobat Vulnerabilities
Original release date: April 13, 2010
Last revised: --
Source: US-CERT
Systems Affected
* Adobe Reader 9.3.1 and earlier 9.x versions
* Adobe Reader 8.2.1 and earlier versions
* Adobe Acrobat 9.3.1 and earlier 9.x versions
* Adobe Acrobat 8.2.1 and earlier versions
Overview
Adobe has released Security Bulletin APSB10-09, which describes
multiple vulnerabilities affecting Adobe Reader and Acrobat.
I. Description
Adobe Security Bulletin APSB10-09 describes a number of
vulnerabilities affecting Adobe Reader and Acrobat. These
vulnerabilities affect Reader and Acrobat 9.3.1 and earlier 9.x
versions, and 8.2.1 and earlier 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
website.
II. Impact
These vulnerabilities could allow a remote attacker to execute
arbitrary code, write arbitrary files or folders to the file
system, 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 APSB10-09 and update
vulnerable versions of Adobe Reader and Acrobat.
Adobe does not offer standalone installers of Reader or Acrobat
versions 9.3.2 or 8.2.2. For a fresh installation, first install
Adobe Reader 9.3.0 or 8.2.0 and then use the automatic update
feature or install the appropriate update referenced in APSB10-09.
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; uncheck Enable
Acrobat JavaScript).
Adobe provides a framework to blacklist specific JavaScipt APIs. If
JavaScript must be enabled, this feature may be useful when
specific APIs are known to be vulnerable or used in attacks.
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. Uncheck the "Display PDF in browser" checkbox.
Do not access PDF documents from untrusted sources
Do not open unfamiliar or unexpected PDF documents, particularly
those hosted on websites or delivered as email attachments. Please
see Cyber Security Tip ST04-010.
IV. References
* Security update available for Adobe Reader and Acrobat -
<http://www.adobe.com/support/security/bulletins/apsb10-09.html>
* Upcoming Adobe Reader and Acrobat 9.3.2 and 8.2.2 to be Delivered
by New Updater -
<http://blogs.adobe.com/adobereader/2010/04/upcoming_adobe_reader_and_acro.html>
* Adobe Reader and Acrobat JavaScript Blacklist Framework -
<http://kb2.adobe.com/cps/504/cpsid_50431.html>
____________________________________________________________________
The most recent version of this document can be found at:
<http://www.us-cert.gov/cas/techalerts/TA10-103C.html>
____________________________________________________________________
Feedback can be directed to US-CERT Technical Staff. Please send
email to <cert@xxxxxxxx> with "TA10-103C Feedback VU#352598" in
the subject.
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For instructions on subscribing to or unsubscribing from this
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Produced 2010 by US-CERT, a government organization.
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____________________________________________________________________
Revision History
April 13, 2010: Initial release
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