CVE-2011-0592 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 crafted Universal 3D (U3D) file that triggers a buffer overflow during decompression, related to "Texture bmp," a different vulnerability than CVE-2011-0590, CVE-2011-0591, 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 10.0.1, 9.4.2, and 8.2.6 contain a critical buffer overflow vulnerability in their Universal 3D (U3D) file handling implementation. This vulnerability specifically occurs during the decompression process of U3D texture data, particularly when processing "Texture bmp" elements within the 3D file structure. The flaw arises from insufficient input validation and bounds checking when parsing maliciously crafted U3D files that contain oversized or malformed texture data. Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by embedding specially crafted U3D content within PDF documents or standalone U3D files, which when opened by the vulnerable software triggers an exploitable buffer overflow condition. The technical implementation of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-121, which describes stack-based buffer overflow conditions, and CWE-122, which covers heap-based buffer overflow scenarios. This vulnerability represents a significant threat to enterprise security as it allows remote code execution without requiring user interaction beyond opening the malicious file, making it particularly dangerous in phishing campaigns and targeted attacks. The attack vector leverages the legitimate U3D file parsing functionality within Adobe's software, making detection more challenging as the malicious behavior occurs within normal software operations. From an operational perspective, this vulnerability enables attackers to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the user running the vulnerable Adobe application, potentially leading to complete system compromise and lateral movement within networks. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it affects multiple versions across different operating systems including Windows and Mac OS X, expanding the potential attack surface significantly.
The exploitation of this buffer overflow vulnerability follows established patterns found in the ATT&CK framework under the technique T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter, where attackers can leverage the compromised application to execute malicious payloads. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond immediate code execution to include potential privilege escalation and persistence mechanisms. Security researchers have identified that the buffer overflow occurs in the decompression logic specifically handling texture data within U3D files, where the application fails to properly validate the size of incoming data before attempting to copy it into fixed-size buffers. This type of vulnerability is classified as a memory corruption issue that can be exploited through various attack methods including stack smashing and heap spraying techniques. The vulnerability's relationship to other U3D-related CVEs such as CVE-2011-0590 through CVE-2011-0600 demonstrates a pattern of multiple buffer overflow issues within the U3D parsing functionality, indicating a systemic problem in the software's handling of 3D file formats. Organizations running affected versions of Adobe Reader and Acrobat face significant risk as these applications are widely deployed across enterprise environments, making the exploitation of this vulnerability a high-priority security concern. The vulnerability's presence in both Windows and Mac OS X platforms means that security teams must implement comprehensive patch management strategies across all operating systems within their infrastructure.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability primarily focus on immediate patching of affected Adobe Reader and Acrobat versions, with the recommended approach being the installation of Adobe updates 10.0.1, 9.4.2, and 8.2.6 respectively. Security administrators should implement network-based controls such as sandboxing PDF files and U3D content through content filtering solutions that can detect and block suspicious file types before they reach end-user systems. The implementation of principle of least privilege should be enforced, ensuring that Adobe Reader and Acrobat applications run with minimal required privileges to reduce potential impact from successful exploitation. Organizations should also consider disabling U3D file support entirely within their Adobe applications if the functionality is not required for business operations, effectively removing the attack surface. From a monitoring perspective, security teams should implement behavioral analysis tools that can detect anomalous decompression activities or memory allocation patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability's characteristics make it particularly suitable for detection through signature-based systems that can identify malicious U3D file structures, while also benefiting from heuristic analysis that can identify unusual memory access patterns. Regular security assessments should include verification that all Adobe applications are updated to patched versions, with automated patch management systems ensuring that updates are deployed promptly across all affected systems. Additionally, user education programs should emphasize the importance of not opening unexpected PDF attachments or U3D files from untrusted sources, as social engineering remains a common initial compromise vector for this type of vulnerability.