CVE-2011-0598 in Acrobat Reader
Summary
by MITRE
Integer overflow in ACE.dll 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 execute arbitrary code via crafted ICC data, a different vulnerability than CVE-2011-0596, CVE-2011-0599, and CVE-2011-0602.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/16/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2011-0598 represents a critical integer overflow flaw within the ACE.dll component of Adobe Reader and Acrobat software across multiple versions. This vulnerability specifically affects Windows and Mac OS X operating systems and stems from improper handling of crafted ICC color profile data during the processing of color management information. The integer overflow occurs when the application attempts to allocate memory for ICC data structures, where maliciously constructed data can cause arithmetic operations to exceed maximum allowable integer values, resulting in unpredictable memory behavior. This flaw falls under the CWE-190 category of integer overflow, which is classified as a fundamental memory safety issue that has been consistently exploited in various software applications over the years.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple denial of service scenarios, as it provides remote attackers with the capability to execute arbitrary code on affected systems. When a user opens a maliciously crafted PDF document containing forged ICC data, the vulnerable ACE.dll module processes this data and triggers the integer overflow condition. The resulting memory corruption can be leveraged by attackers to overwrite critical memory locations, potentially leading to complete system compromise. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it operates at the core processing layer of the PDF rendering engine, making it accessible through standard PDF document opening operations without requiring special privileges or user interaction beyond document execution. This aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and script interpreter, where attackers can establish persistent access through code execution vulnerabilities.
The exploitation of CVE-2011-0598 demonstrates the inherent risks associated with complex multimedia processing components in document readers, particularly when handling color profile data that is often embedded in professional documents. The vulnerability affects a wide range of Adobe Reader and Acrobat versions, including 10.x before 10.0.1, 9.x before 9.4.2, and 8.x before 8.2.6, indicating a widespread impact across multiple product generations. Security researchers have noted that ICC color profiles are commonly used in professional printing workflows and high-end document preparation, making this attack vector particularly insidious as it can be embedded in seemingly legitimate business documents. The vulnerability's relationship to other similar issues such as CVE-2011-0596, CVE-2011-0599, and CVE-2011-0602 highlights the broader pattern of integer overflow vulnerabilities within Adobe's color management system, suggesting systematic weaknesses in memory handling and input validation.
Organizations and users affected by this vulnerability should implement immediate mitigation strategies including prompt application of Adobe's security patches, which address the specific integer overflow conditions in ACE.dll. Network segmentation and application whitelisting can provide additional defensive layers, while user education regarding suspicious document attachments remains crucial. The vulnerability underscores the importance of regular security updates and the need for robust input validation in multimedia processing libraries, particularly those handling untrusted data from external sources. Security teams should monitor for exploitation attempts through network traffic analysis and endpoint detection systems, as the integer overflow may manifest through unusual memory allocation patterns or process behavior. This vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of memory safety in software development and the potential for seemingly benign features like color management to become attack vectors when not properly secured against malicious input.