CVE-2017-11221 in Acrobat Reader
Summary
by MITRE
Adobe Acrobat Reader 2017.009.20058 and earlier, 2017.008.30051 and earlier, 2015.006.30306 and earlier, and 11.0.20 and earlier has an exploitable type confusion vulnerability in the annotation functionality. Successful exploitation could lead to arbitrary code execution.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/30/2024
Adobe Acrobat Reader contains a critical type confusion vulnerability within its annotation processing functionality that affects multiple versions including 2017.009.20058 and earlier, 2017.008.30051 and earlier, 2015.006.30306 and earlier, and 11.0.20 and earlier. This vulnerability falls under the CWE-466 category of "Return of Wrong Type" and represents a fundamental flaw in how the application handles object types during annotation processing. The type confusion occurs when the application incorrectly interprets the data type of an object, leading to improper memory management and execution flow manipulation. This issue resides in the annotation handling component of the software where user-supplied data is processed without proper type validation, creating an exploitable condition that allows attackers to manipulate memory structures through crafted malicious documents.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution to encompass full system compromise when exploited successfully. Attackers can leverage this type confusion to inject and execute arbitrary code within the context of the Acrobat Reader application, potentially leading to complete system control. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it requires no user interaction beyond opening a malicious PDF document, making it a prime candidate for drive-by download attacks and targeted phishing campaigns. This aligns with ATT&CK technique T1203, which describes the exploitation of software vulnerabilities for privilege escalation and system compromise. The memory corruption resulting from improper type handling creates opportunities for attackers to manipulate the program's execution flow through return-oriented programming or other advanced exploitation techniques.
Security professionals should prioritize immediate remediation of this vulnerability through the application of Adobe's official security patches and updates. Organizations must implement comprehensive patch management processes to ensure all affected versions of Adobe Acrobat Reader are updated promptly. Additionally, network-level defenses should include PDF content filtering and sandboxing mechanisms to prevent execution of potentially malicious documents. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of input validation and proper type checking in software development, particularly for applications handling untrusted data from external sources. Implementation of defense-in-depth strategies including application whitelisting, mandatory access controls, and regular security assessments will help mitigate the risk of exploitation. Organizations should also consider deploying endpoint detection and response solutions to monitor for suspicious behavior patterns indicative of exploitation attempts. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the persistent threat landscape surrounding document processing applications and the necessity for continuous security monitoring and proactive vulnerability management.