The Register: Adobe patches Acrobat bug, neglects to mention whole zero-day, exploit thing

Source URL: https://www.theregister.com/2024/09/12/adobe_acrobat_0day/
Source: The Register
Title: Adobe patches Acrobat bug, neglects to mention whole zero-day, exploit thing

Feedly Summary: SaaS seller sets severity to ‘critical’
Adobe’s patch for a remote code execution (RCE) bug in Acrobat doesn’t mention that the vulnerability is considered a zero-day nor that a proof-of-concept (PoC) exploit exists, a researcher warns.…

AI Summary and Description: Yes

**Summary:** A recent vulnerability in Adobe Acrobat, identified as CVE-2024-41869, has raised concerns due to the lack of classification as a zero-day and the existence of a proof-of-concept (PoC) exploit. This indicates potential security risks for organizations, as the severity rating associated with the vulnerability may not prompt adequate attention from system administrators.

**Detailed Description:**
The report discusses a newly patched remote code execution (RCE) vulnerability in Adobe Acrobat that hasn’t been adequately highlighted, particularly regarding its status as a zero-day exploit. Here are the critical points and implications:

– **Vulnerability Background:**
– The vulnerability, CVE-2024-41869, was originally reported in June 2023 and received a CVSS base score of 7.8, categorized as high severity.
– Despite its critical severity rating from Adobe, the CVSS score has led to potential underestimation of the risk by sysadmins.

– **Proof-of-Concept (PoC) Exploit:**
– There is a PoC exploit that has been shared, which poses a risk of RCE.
– The description of the PoC suggests that it may lead to crashes in Acrobat Reader but lays the groundwork for attacks using the exploit in the wild.

– **Adobe’s Communication and Response:**
– Adobe had previously indicated there would be a follow-up patch, acknowledging that the first fix was insufficient.
– The lack of communication regarding PoC and zero-day status raises concerns about how organizations prioritize patching.

– **Actionable Insights for Security Professionals:**
– Organizations using Adobe Acrobat should review their patching processes and ensure that they prioritize vulnerabilities accurately, regardless of the initial CVSS scoring.
– It is crucial for organizations to stay informed about exploit developments and adjust their security posture correspondingly.
– Engaging with security communities and platforms that disseminate information on vulnerabilities can help in understanding the broader context and implications of emerging threats.

– **Future Publications:**
– The report indicates that more detailed analysis will be released in a blog co-authored by Expmon and Check Point Research, which might provide additional insights or updates about the vulnerability and its implications.

The outlining of this incident emphasizes the importance of transparent communications from vendors about vulnerabilities and the existence of exploitation methods, as well as the need for continuous vigilance and proactive measures among security professionals.