Detect Adobe Acrobat and Reader Heap-Based Buffer Overflow (CVE-2009-3459) in Splunk
Detects exploitation of a heap-based buffer overflow vulnerability in Adobe Acrobat and Reader (CVE-2009-3459). This CISA KEV vulnerability allows attackers to execute arbitrary code via a crafted PDF file. Exploitation typically results in AcroRd32.exe or Acrobat.exe spawning unexpected child processes, making unusual network connections, or writing executable payloads to disk.
MITRE ATT&CK
SPL Detection Query
index=* sourcetype IN ("WinEventLog:Security", "XmlWinEventLog:Microsoft-Windows-Sysmon/Operational", "crowdstrike:events:sensor")
| eval parent_proc=coalesce(ParentImage, parent_process_name, ParentProcessName)
| eval child_proc=coalesce(Image, process_name, NewProcessName)
| where match(parent_proc, "(?i)(AcroRd32\.exe|Acrobat\.exe|AcroBroker\.exe)")
| eval suspicious_child=if(match(child_proc, "(?i)(cmd\.exe|powershell\.exe|wscript\.exe|cscript\.exe|mshta\.exe|rundll32\.exe|regsvr32\.exe)"), 1, 0)
| eval network_event=if(sourcetype="XmlWinEventLog:Microsoft-Windows-Sysmon/Operational" AND EventCode=3, 1, 0)
| eval file_drop=if(sourcetype="XmlWinEventLog:Microsoft-Windows-Sysmon/Operational" AND EventCode=11 AND match(TargetFilename, "(?i)\.(exe|dll|bat|ps1|vbs)$") AND match(TargetFilename, "(?i)(temp|appdata|public|downloads)"), 1, 0)
| where suspicious_child=1 OR network_event=1 OR file_drop=1
| eval detection_reason=case(suspicious_child=1, "Adobe Reader spawned suspicious child", file_drop=1, "Adobe Reader dropped executable", network_event=1, "Adobe Reader made network connection", true(), "Unknown")
| table _time, host, user, parent_proc, child_proc, CommandLine, detection_reason
| sort -_timeDetects exploitation indicators from CVE-2009-3459: Adobe Reader/Acrobat spawning shell interpreters, dropping executables, or initiating network connections via Sysmon and Windows Security event logs.
Data Sources
Required Sourcetypes
False Positives & Tuning
- Legitimate Adobe Acrobat Pro features that invoke command-line tools for PDF processing
- Enterprise document management systems using Adobe Reader as a rendering backend
- Automated testing pipelines that open PDFs and post-process output
Other platforms for CVE-2009-3459
Testing Methodology
Validate this detection against 4 adversary techniques from Atomic Red Team. Each test below lists the behaviour to exercise and the telemetry you should expect to see. Executable commands and cleanup steps are available with Pro.
- Test 1Simulate Adobe Reader Spawning cmd.exe
Expected signal: Sysmon Event ID 1: process creation with ParentImage matching AcroRd32.exe and Image matching cmd.exe; DeviceProcessEvents in Defender with InitiatingProcessFileName=AcroRd32.exe and FileName=cmd.exe.
- Test 2Simulate Adobe Reader Writing Executable to Temp
Expected signal: Sysmon Event ID 11: TargetFilename=C:\Temp\payload.exe, Image matching AcroRd32.exe; DeviceFileEvents in Defender with InitiatingProcessFileName=AcroRd32.exe and FileName=payload.exe.
- Test 3Simulate Adobe Reader Making Outbound Network Connection
Expected signal: Sysmon Event ID 3: Image matching AcroRd32.exe, DestinationIp=93.184.216.34, DestinationPort=80; DeviceNetworkEvents in Defender with InitiatingProcessFileName=AcroRd32.exe and non-RFC1918 RemoteIP.
- Test 4Open Malicious PDF in Sandboxed Adobe Reader (Lab Only)
Expected signal: Heap spray artifacts in AcroRd32.exe memory; child process creation events; potential shellcode execution visible in memory forensics; network connection attempt if payload is weaponized.
References (3)
- https://www.cisa.gov/news-events/alerts/2009/10/13/adobe-reader-and-acrobat-vulnerabilities
- https://web.archive.org/web/20120324170253/http://www.adobe.com/support/security/bulletins/apsb09-15.html#:~:text=CVE%2D2009%2D3459).-,NOTE%3A,-There%20are%20reports
- https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2009-3459
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