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CVE-2018-4995: Adobe Acrobat Dc: Improper Neutralization of Special Elements in Output Used by a Downstream Component

CVE-2018-4995 is rated critical with a CVSS v3.0 base score of 9.8 and NVD lists 2 affected products, including Adobe Acrobat Dc. Per its scoring, it can be exploited over the network, without authentication, without any user interaction. The scored impact on confidentiality, integrity and availability is the highest available.

Vulnerability description

Adobe Acrobat and Reader versions 2018.011.20038 and earlier, 2017.011.30079 and earlier, and 2015.006.30417 and earlier have an XFA '\n' POST injection vulnerability. Successful exploitation could lead to a security bypass.

Severity breakdown

CVSS v3.0 9.8: CVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

  • Attack vector: Network. Exploitable remotely over the network, with no need for local or physical access.
  • Attack complexity: Low. No special conditions; the attack can be repeated reliably.
  • Privileges required: None. No account or prior access is needed.
  • User interaction: None. No action from any user is needed.
  • Scope: Unchanged. Impact stays within the vulnerable component.
  • Confidentiality impact: High. Total loss of confidentiality; sensitive data can be fully disclosed.
  • Integrity impact: High. Total loss of integrity; data or system state can be fully modified.
  • Availability impact: High. Total loss of availability; the component can be shut down.

Underlying weakness

CWE-74: Improper Neutralization of Special Elements in Output Used by a Downstream Component

The product constructs all or part of a command, data structure, or record using externally-influenced input from an upstream component, but it does not neutralize or incorrectly neutralizes special elements that could modify how it is parsed or interpreted when it is sent to a downstream component.

Affected products

  • Adobe Acrobat Dc: from 15.006.30060 up to and including 15.006.30417; from 15.008.20082 up to and including 18.011.20038; from 17.011.30059 up to and including 17.011.30079
  • Adobe Acrobat Reader Dc: from 15.006.30060 up to and including 15.006.30417; from 15.008.20082 up to and including 18.011.20038; from 17.011.30059 up to and including 17.011.30079

References