CVE-2011-0587 in Acrobat Reader
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in Adobe Reader and Acrobat 10.x before 10.0.1, 9.x before 9.4.2, and 8.x before 8.2.6 on Windows and Mac OS X allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via unspecified vectors, a different vulnerability than CVE-2011-0604.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/16/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2011-0587 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw affecting Adobe Reader and Acrobat software across multiple versions. This security weakness impacts users running Windows and Mac OS X operating systems, creating a significant risk for remote code execution through malicious web content. The vulnerability specifically affects Adobe Reader versions 10.x prior to 10.0.1, 9.x prior to 9.4.2, and 8.x prior to 8.2.6, highlighting the widespread nature of this flaw across the Adobe Acrobat ecosystem. Unlike similar vulnerabilities such as CVE-2011-0604, this particular flaw operates through distinct attack vectors that exploit the software's handling of user input within PDF documents.
The technical implementation of this XSS vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and output encoding within Adobe Reader's processing of PDF files. When users open maliciously crafted PDF documents, the software fails to properly sanitize user-supplied data, allowing attackers to inject arbitrary web scripts or HTML code that executes within the context of the user's browser session. This flaw operates at the application layer and leverages the trust relationship between the PDF reader and the user's web browser, enabling attackers to bypass standard security mechanisms. The vulnerability's classification aligns with CWE-79, which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws in web applications and client-side software, where improper validation of input data leads to execution of malicious code.
The operational impact of CVE-2011-0587 extends beyond simple script injection, creating opportunities for sophisticated attacks that can compromise user systems and data. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to perform session hijacking, steal sensitive information, redirect users to malicious websites, or execute additional exploits against the compromised system. The widespread adoption of Adobe Reader across enterprise environments and individual users amplifies the potential damage, as successful exploitation can lead to unauthorized access to confidential documents, financial data, and personal information. Security researchers have noted that this vulnerability can be particularly dangerous in targeted attacks where attackers craft specific PDF documents designed to exploit the flaw and deliver malware payloads. The vulnerability's persistence across multiple software versions indicates a fundamental flaw in Adobe's input validation mechanisms that required extensive patching efforts.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2011-0587 primarily focus on immediate software updates and user education. Organizations should prioritize updating Adobe Reader and Acrobat to the patched versions mentioned in the vulnerability description, specifically versions 10.0.1, 9.4.2, and 8.2.6 respectively. Network administrators should implement web filtering solutions and PDF content inspection tools to prevent users from accessing potentially malicious documents. Additionally, users should be educated about the risks of opening PDF files from untrusted sources and encouraged to maintain updated software versions. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under technique T1059, which involves executing malicious code through legitimate system processes, emphasizing the need for comprehensive endpoint protection measures that monitor for suspicious PDF processing activities and anomalous behavior patterns. Organizations should also consider implementing sandboxing technologies to isolate PDF processing and prevent potential exploitation of similar vulnerabilities in the future.