CVE-2011-0590 in Acrobat Reader
Summary
by MITRE
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 allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a 3D file, a different vulnerability than CVE-2011-0591, CVE-2011-0592, CVE-2011-0593, CVE-2011-0595, and CVE-2011-0600.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/16/2021
Adobe Reader and Acrobat versions prior to specific patched releases contain a critical remote code execution vulnerability that manifests through improper handling of 3D file formats. This vulnerability affects multiple product versions including 10.x before 10.0.1, 9.x before 9.4.2, and 8.x before 8.2.6 across both Windows and Mac OS X operating systems. The flaw specifically occurs when the software processes 3D content within maliciously crafted files, creating a pathway for remote attackers to execute arbitrary code on affected systems. The vulnerability operates outside the scope of other related CVEs such as CVE-2011-0591 through CVE-2011-0600, indicating a distinct attack vector that targets the 3D rendering components of the Adobe applications. This issue represents a classic buffer overflow vulnerability where insufficient input validation allows attackers to manipulate memory structures during 3D file processing. The technical implementation involves improper bounds checking when parsing 3D file headers and data structures, enabling attackers to overwrite critical memory locations. The Common Weakness Enumeration categorizes this as a buffer overflow vulnerability under CWE-121, which directly enables arbitrary code execution. From an operational perspective, this vulnerability poses significant risk to organizations since it can be exploited through email attachments, web downloads, or malicious websites without requiring user interaction beyond opening the compromised 3D file. The attack surface is particularly broad given Adobe Reader's widespread deployment across enterprise environments and the common use of 3D content in various business applications. The ATT&CK framework would classify this vulnerability under T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter and potentially T1566 for malware delivery through malicious files. The exploitation requires minimal privileges and can result in complete system compromise, making it a high-priority vulnerability for immediate remediation. Organizations should implement immediate patch management procedures to upgrade to the patched versions of Adobe Reader and Acrobat, while also considering network segmentation and application whitelisting to limit potential attack vectors. Additionally, security awareness training should emphasize the dangers of opening untrusted 3D files from unknown sources, and network monitoring should be enhanced to detect suspicious file access patterns related to 3D content processing. The vulnerability demonstrates the inherent risks associated with complex multimedia processing components in office applications, highlighting the need for comprehensive security testing of file format parsers.