US-CERT: United States Computer Emergency Readiness Team
Cyber Security Alert SA09-133B
Adobe Reader and Acrobat Vulnerabilities
Original release date: May 13, 2009Last revised: --
Source: US-CERT
Systems Affected
- Adobe Reader versions 9.1, 8.1.4, 7.1.1 and earlier
- Adobe Acrobat Standard, Pro, and Pro Extended versions 9.1, 8.1.4, 7.1.1 and earlier
Overview
Vulnerabilities in Adobe Reader and Acrobat may allow an attacker to take control of your computer. Adobe has released Security Bulletin APSB09-06, which describes these issues.
Solution
Update
Adobe has released updates to address this issue. Users are encouraged to read Adobe Security Bulletin APSB09-06 and update vulnerable versions of Adobe Reader and Acrobat.
Disable JavaScript in Adobe Reader and Acrobat
Disabling JavaScript prevents these vulnerabilities from being exploited and reduces attack surface. If this workaround is applied to updated versions of the Adobe Reader and Acrobat, it may protect against future vulnerabilities.To disable JavaScript in Adobe Reader:
- Open Adobe Acrobat Reader.
- Open the Edit menu.
- Choose the Preferences... option.
- Choose the JavaScript section.
- Uncheck the Enable Acrobat JavaScript check box.
Disabling JavaScript will not resolve the vulnerabilities, it will only disable the vulnerable JavaScript component. When JavaScript is disabled, Adobe Reader and Acrobat prompt to re-enable JavaScript when opening a PDF that contains JavaScript.
Disable the display of PDF documents in the web browser
Preventing PDF documents from opening inside a web browser reduces attack surface. If this workaround is applied to updated versions of the Adobe Reader and Acrobat, it may protect against future vulnerabilities.
To prevent PDF documents from automatically being opened in a web browser with Adobe Reader:
- Open Adobe Acrobat Reader.
- Open the Edit menu.
- Choose the preferences option.
- Choose the Internet section.
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.
Description
In Security Bulletin APSB09-06, Adobe announces updates for two JavaScript vulnerabilities that affect Adobe Reader and Acrobat. By convincing a user to visit a web site and opening a malicious Adobe Portable Document Format (PDF) file, an attacker could execute code and take control of your computer. Note that web browsers are typically configured to open PDF files automatically.
More technical information is available in US-CERT Technical Cyber Security Alert TA09-133B.
References
- US-CERT Technical Cyber Security Alert TA09-133B - <http://www.us-cert.gov/cas/techalerts/TA09-133B.html>
- Cyber Security Tip ST04-010: Using Caution with Email Attachments - <http://www.us-cert.gov/cas/tips/ST04-010.html>
- Adobe Security Bulletin APSB09-06 - <http://www.adobe.com/support/security/bulletins/apsb09-06.html>
Feedback can be directed to US-CERT.
Produced 2009 by US-CERT, a government organization. Terms of use
Revision History
May 13, 2009: Initial release
