CVE-2014-0546
Adobe Reader and Acrobat Sandbox Bypass Vulnerability
Description
CVE-2014-0546 is a sandbox bypass vulnerability in Adobe Reader and Acrobat on Windows that allows attackers to escape the application's sandbox protection mechanism and execute native code in a privileged context. By exploiting this flaw, an attacker can break out of the security sandbox designed to contain potentially malicious PDF content and gain the ability to execute arbitrary code on the underlying operating system. CISA has confirmed active exploitation of this vulnerability by including it in the Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog. With an EPSS percentile of 97.5%, CVE-2014-0546 represents a high-probability exploitation target requiring immediate remediation.
KEV Information
CVSS Score
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:HOpen in CalculatorAffected Products
| Vendor | Product | Version |
|---|---|---|
| adobe | acrobat | >= 10.0, < 10.1.11; >= 11.0, < 11.0.08 |
| adobe | acrobat reader | >= 10.0, < 10.1.11; >= 11.0, < 11.0.08 |
Multiple CVSS Assessments
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
References
- http://helpx.adobe.com/security/products/reader/apsb14-19.html(Patch, Vendor Advisory)
- http://www.securitytracker.com/id/1030711(Broken Link, Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry)
- https://github.com/cisagov/vulnrichment/issues/199(Issue Tracking)
- https://www.cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog?field_cve=CVE-2014-0546(US Government Resource)
Weakness Type
Since no specific CWE has been assigned to CVE-2014-0546, the underlying weakness type is unspecified. The vulnerability involves a sandbox escape in Adobe Reader and Acrobat that enables attackers to bypass the protective boundary between PDF content processing and the host operating system. This class of vulnerability typically arises from improper enforcement of security boundaries or insufficient privilege separation in sandboxed environments.
Impact Analysis
CVE-2014-0546 enables attackers to bypass the sandbox protection mechanism in Adobe Reader and Acrobat on Windows, escalating from confined PDF processing to full native code execution on the host system. Once the sandbox is escaped, the attacker operates with the privileges of the Adobe Reader process, which can include full user-level access to files, credentials, and other sensitive data on the system. The vulnerability can be exploited remotely by delivering a crafted PDF document via email, web download, or other document sharing mechanisms, requiring user interaction only in the form of opening the malicious file. The EPSS percentile of 97.5% places this vulnerability in the top tier of exploitation likelihood, reflecting its attractiveness to attackers targeting enterprise environments where Adobe Reader is widely deployed.
Exploit Maturity
CISA has confirmed active exploitation of CVE-2014-0546 in the wild by adding it to the Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog with a remediation deadline of June 15, 2022. The EPSS percentile of 97.5% indicates that this vulnerability is among the most likely to be actively exploited across the entire CVE database. Adobe Reader and Acrobat sandbox bypasses have historically been high-value targets for advanced persistent threat (APT) groups and exploit kit developers, as they provide a reliable path from document-based initial access to full system compromise.
Remediation
- Apply all available security updates from Adobe for Reader and Acrobat as specified in the vendor advisory. CISA's required action is to apply updates per vendor instructions.
- Upgrade to the latest supported version of Adobe Acrobat Reader or Adobe Acrobat, as older versions may no longer receive security patches.
- Implement Protected View settings in Adobe Reader and Acrobat, which provides an additional layer of sandbox enforcement for files originating from untrusted sources.
- Restrict PDF file handling through email gateway and web proxy policies to scan, quarantine, or block suspicious PDF attachments before they reach end users.
- Deploy application whitelisting and endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions to detect and prevent unauthorized code execution that may result from sandbox escape exploits.
Technical Details
CVE-2014-0546 exploits a flaw in the sandbox protection mechanism of Adobe Reader and Acrobat on Windows. The Adobe sandbox (Protected Mode in Reader, Protected View in Acrobat) is designed to run PDF processing in a restricted environment that limits the ability of potentially malicious content to interact with the underlying operating system. This vulnerability allows attackers to circumvent these restrictions and execute native code in a privileged context outside the sandbox boundary. The attack is delivered through a crafted PDF document that triggers the sandbox escape during processing. No specific CWE was assigned, but the vulnerability is consistent with improper enforcement of security boundaries, where the sandbox fails to adequately restrict a specific operation or code path that provides access to privileged system resources. The native code execution capability means an attacker can perform any action permitted by the user account running Adobe Reader, including reading files, downloading additional payloads, and establishing persistent access to the compromised system.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is CVE-2014-0546 being actively exploited?
Yes, CISA has confirmed active exploitation of CVE-2014-0546 and added it to the Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog. The EPSS percentile of 97.5% further indicates very high exploitation probability. Organizations running unpatched versions of Adobe Reader or Acrobat on Windows should prioritize immediate remediation.
What products are affected by CVE-2014-0546?
CVE-2014-0546 affects Adobe Reader and Adobe Acrobat on Windows. While specific version ranges were not detailed in the available data, the vulnerability was addressed in Adobe security updates released in 2014. All versions of Adobe Reader and Acrobat current at the time of disclosure should be considered potentially affected.
How do I fix CVE-2014-0546?
Apply all available security updates from Adobe for Reader and Acrobat. Upgrade to the latest supported version to ensure ongoing protection. Additionally, enable Protected View settings and implement email and web gateway controls to filter suspicious PDF files before they reach end users.
How severe is CVE-2014-0546?
CVE-2014-0546 is a sandbox bypass vulnerability with an EPSS percentile of 97.5%, placing it among the most likely-to-be-exploited CVEs. Its inclusion in the CISA KEV catalog confirms real-world exploitation. The ability to escape the Adobe sandbox and execute native code makes this a high-severity vulnerability with significant potential for full system compromise.
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