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                    National Cyber Alert System

              Technical Cyber Security Alert TA10-013A


Adobe Reader and Acrobat Vulnerabilities

   Original release date: 
   Last revised: --
   Source: US-CERT


Systems Affected

     * Adobe Reader and Acrobat 9.2 and earlier 9.x versions
     * Adobe Reader and Acrobat 8.1.7 and earlier 8.x versions


Overview

   Adobe has released Security bulletin APSB10-02, which describes
   multiple vulnerabilities affecting Adobe Reader and Acrobat.


I. Description

   Adobe Security Advisory APSB10-02 describes a number of
   vulnerabilities affecting Adobe Reader and Acrobat. These
   vulnerabilities affect Reader  9.2 and earlier 9.x versions and
   8.1.7 and earlier 8.x versions.  Further details are available in
   the US-CERT Vulnerability Notes Database.
   
   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.
   
   Some of these vulnerabilities are being actively exploited.


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 APSB10-02 and update
   vulnerable versions of Adobe Reader and Acrobat.
   
   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 websites or delivered as email attachments. Please
   see Cyber Security Tip ST04-010.


IV. References

 * Adobe Security Bulletin APSB10-02 -
   <http://www.adobe.com/support/security/bulletins/apsb10-02.html>

 * Vulnerability Note VU#508357 -
   <https://www.kb.cert.org/vuls/id/508357>

 * Vulnerability Note VU#773545 -
   <https://www.kb.cert.org/vuls/id/773545>

 ____________________________________________________________________

   The most recent version of this document can be found at:

     <http://www.us-cert.gov/cas/techalerts/TA10-013A.html>
 ____________________________________________________________________

   Feedback can be directed to US-CERT Technical Staff. Please send
   email to <cert@cert.org> with "TA10-013A Feedback VU#508357" in
   the subject.
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   Produced 2010 by US-CERT, a government organization.

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Revision History
  
  January 13, 2010: Initial release


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