CVE-2011-2438 in Acrobat
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple stack-based buffer overflows in the image-parsing library in Adobe Reader and Acrobat 8.x before 8.3.1, 9.x before 9.4.6, and 10.x before 10.1.1 allow attackers to execute arbitrary code via unspecified vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/20/2021
Adobe Reader and Acrobat versions prior to 8.3.1, 9.4.6, and 10.1.1 contain multiple stack-based buffer overflow vulnerabilities within their image-parsing library components. These vulnerabilities arise from insufficient input validation when processing specially crafted image files, particularly those utilizing the Portable Document Format. The flaw occurs during the parsing of image data structures where the application fails to properly bounds-check array accesses, leading to memory corruption that can be exploited by malicious actors. The vulnerability is categorized under CWE-121 Stack-based Buffer Overflow, which represents a classic and dangerous class of memory corruption vulnerabilities that have been consistently identified as critical security risks in software applications.
The exploitation of these buffer overflows enables remote code execution attacks where attackers can craft malicious image files designed to trigger the vulnerable code paths during document rendering. When a user opens or previews such a crafted document, the application's image parsing library processes the malicious data and overflows the allocated stack buffer, potentially allowing attackers to overwrite return addresses and execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the affected application. This represents a significant threat vector as it can be leveraged through social engineering attacks where users are tricked into opening malicious PDF documents containing the crafted image data.
The operational impact of these vulnerabilities extends beyond simple code execution, as they can be exploited in various attack scenarios including targeted attacks against specific users or organizations. The vulnerabilities affect multiple product versions and are particularly concerning because they reside in the core rendering functionality that processes embedded images in PDF documents. Attackers can leverage these flaws to gain unauthorized access to systems, potentially leading to full system compromise, data exfiltration, or deployment of additional malware. The vulnerabilities are particularly dangerous because they can be triggered without user interaction beyond opening a malicious document, making them suitable for automated attack campaigns.
Security mitigation strategies should focus on immediate patch deployment for all affected versions of Adobe Reader and Acrobat, as these vulnerabilities have been addressed through official security updates from Adobe. Organizations should implement comprehensive patch management processes to ensure timely deployment of security fixes. Additionally, network-based protections such as content filtering and sandboxing mechanisms can provide additional layers of defense. The ATT&CK framework categorizes these vulnerabilities under the T1059.007 technique for Windows Command and Scripting Interpreter, as attackers may leverage the executed code to establish persistent access or escalate privileges. System administrators should also consider implementing user education programs to reduce the risk of successful social engineering attacks that rely on these vulnerabilities. The vulnerabilities highlight the importance of secure coding practices, particularly around input validation and memory management, as recommended by the OWASP Top Ten and other industry security standards.