CVE-2010-2883
Adobe Acrobat and Reader Stack-Based Buffer Overflow Vulnerability
Description
CVE-2010-2883 is a stack-based buffer overflow vulnerability in Adobe Acrobat and Reader that allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code or cause a denial of service. The flaw resides in the CoolType font parsing component, where processing a specially crafted PDF document with a malicious font triggers a stack buffer overflow, enabling arbitrary code execution. This vulnerability was widely exploited in the wild through malicious PDF documents. CISA has added CVE-2010-2883 to its Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog, and with an EPSS score of 93.2% (99th percentile), it has one of the highest exploitation probabilities of any known vulnerability.
KEV Information
CVSS Score
CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:HOpen in CalculatorAffected Products
| Vendor | Product | Version |
|---|---|---|
| adobe | acrobat | >= 8.0, < 8.2.5; >= 9.0, < 9.4 |
| adobe | acrobat reader | >= 8.0, < 8.2.5; >= 9.0, < 9.4 |
Multiple CVSS Assessments
CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
References
- http://blog.metasploit.com/2010/09/return-of-unpublished-adobe.html(Broken Link)
- http://community.websense.com/blogs/securitylabs/archive/2010/09/10/brief-analysis-on-adobe-reader-sing-table-parsing-vulnerability-cve-2010-2883.aspx(Broken Link)
- http://lists.opensuse.org/opensuse-security-announce/2010-10/msg00001.html(Broken Link)
- http://lists.opensuse.org/opensuse-security-announce/2010-10/msg00006.html(Broken Link)
- http://secunia.com/advisories/41340(Broken Link, Vendor Advisory)
- http://secunia.com/advisories/43025(Broken Link, Vendor Advisory)
- http://security.gentoo.org/glsa/glsa-201101-08.xml(Third Party Advisory)
- http://www.adobe.com/support/security/advisories/apsa10-02.html(Vendor Advisory)
- http://www.adobe.com/support/security/bulletins/apsb10-21.html(Vendor Advisory)
- http://www.kb.cert.org/vuls/id/491991(Third Party Advisory, US Government Resource)
- http://www.redhat.com/support/errata/RHSA-2010-0743.html(Broken Link)
- http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/43057(Broken Link, Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry)
- http://www.turbolinux.co.jp/security/2011/TLSA-2011-2j.txt(Broken Link)
- http://www.us-cert.gov/cas/techalerts/TA10-279A.html(Third Party Advisory, US Government Resource)
- http://www.vupen.com/english/advisories/2010/2331(Broken Link, Vendor Advisory)
- http://www.vupen.com/english/advisories/2011/0191(Broken Link, Vendor Advisory)
- http://www.vupen.com/english/advisories/2011/0344(Broken Link, Vendor Advisory)
- https://exchange.xforce.ibmcloud.com/vulnerabilities/61635(Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry)
- https://oval.cisecurity.org/repository/search/definition/oval%3Aorg.mitre.oval%3Adef%3A11586(Broken Link)
- https://www.cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog?field_cve=CVE-2010-2883(US Government Resource)
Weakness Type
CWE-121: Stack-based Buffer Overflow
CVE-2010-2883 exploits a stack-based buffer overflow in Adobe Acrobat and Reader's CoolType font processing library. When the application parses a PDF containing a crafted TrueType font with manipulated field values, the font data overflows a stack buffer, overwriting the saved return address and enabling the attacker to redirect execution to shellcode or ROP gadgets.
Learn more: CWE-121 — Stack-based Buffer Overflow
Impact Analysis
CVE-2010-2883 is remotely exploitable through a crafted PDF document — an attacker needs only to deliver a malicious PDF via email, web download, or any other document sharing mechanism. No authentication is required, and user interaction is limited to opening the PDF file. The stack-based buffer overflow enables arbitrary code execution with the privileges of the Adobe Acrobat or Reader process. This places confidentiality, integrity, and availability at full risk, as an attacker can install rootkits, exfiltrate data, or establish command-and-control channels. The EPSS score of 93.2% (99th percentile) indicates near-certain exploitation, and the widespread use of PDF documents in business communications makes this vulnerability exceptionally effective for both mass campaigns and targeted attacks.
Exploit Maturity
CISA has confirmed active exploitation of CVE-2010-2883 in the wild by adding it to the Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog on June 8, 2022. The EPSS score of 93.2% places this vulnerability in the 99th percentile, indicating one of the highest exploitation probabilities tracked. CVE-2010-2883 was actively exploited in zero-day attacks and quickly became one of the most commonly used PDF exploits in exploit kits and malware campaigns. The Metasploit framework includes a reliable exploit module for this vulnerability. No specific ransomware association has been reported, but the reliable remote code execution capability makes it suitable for virtually any attack scenario.
Remediation
- Apply Adobe security updates immediately: Install the latest patches for Adobe Acrobat and Reader as directed by the CISA KEV required action to address the CoolType font parsing buffer overflow.
- Upgrade to a current version of Adobe Acrobat Reader DC: Ensure all systems are running a currently supported version with modern exploit mitigations including ASLR and DEP integration.
- Enable Protected Mode and Protected View: Configure Adobe Reader's sandboxing features to isolate the PDF rendering process and limit the impact of successful exploitation.
- Deploy email and web gateway PDF scanning: Implement deep content inspection of PDF files at email and web gateways, specifically scanning for known CoolType exploit signatures and malicious embedded fonts.
- Restrict automatic font loading in PDF Reader: Where possible, configure Adobe Reader to prompt before loading embedded fonts in PDF documents, adding an additional layer of protection against font-based exploits.
Technical Details
CVE-2010-2883 is a stack-based buffer overflow in Adobe Acrobat and Reader's CoolType font processing engine, specifically in the handling of the SING (Smart INdependent Glyphlets) table within TrueType fonts embedded in PDF documents. When the CoolType library parses a font with a specially crafted SING table containing an overly long field value, the data overflows a fixed-size stack buffer, overwriting the saved return address on the call stack. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-121, as the root cause is a classic stack-based buffer overflow due to missing bounds checking on font data fields. An attacker controls both the overflow data and the overwritten return address, enabling reliable redirection to ROP gadgets or shellcode embedded elsewhere in the PDF. The predictable stack layout of the vulnerable function made this exploit highly reliable across different versions of Adobe Reader.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is CVE-2010-2883 being actively exploited?
Yes. CISA has confirmed active exploitation by adding CVE-2010-2883 to the Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog. The EPSS score of 93.2% in the 99th percentile indicates near-certain exploitation. This vulnerability was used in zero-day attacks and is one of the most commonly exploited PDF vulnerabilities, with exploit code publicly available in frameworks like Metasploit.
What products are affected by CVE-2010-2883?
CVE-2010-2883 affects Adobe Acrobat and Adobe Reader, specifically the CoolType font processing library. Multiple versions of both products are vulnerable. Users should update to the latest supported version of Adobe Acrobat Reader DC.
How do I fix CVE-2010-2883?
Update Adobe Acrobat and Reader to the latest patched version. Enable Protected Mode sandboxing and Protected View. Implement PDF content inspection at email and web gateways to detect malicious embedded fonts.
How severe is CVE-2010-2883?
CVE-2010-2883 is among the most severe PDF vulnerabilities ever discovered, with an EPSS score in the 99th percentile. The stack-based buffer overflow enables highly reliable remote code execution through malicious PDF documents, and public exploit code makes it accessible to a wide range of threat actors.
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