CVE-2017-11222 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 memory corruption vulnerability in the Product Representation Compact (PRC) engine. 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 memory corruption vulnerability within its Product Representation Compact engine 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 stems from improper handling of malformed PRC files during the parsing process, creating opportunities for attackers to execute arbitrary code on vulnerable systems. The flaw manifests as a buffer overflow condition that occurs when the application processes specially crafted PRC data structures, allowing attackers to overwrite critical memory regions and potentially gain full system control. This vulnerability maps to CWE-121, which describes heap-based buffer overflow conditions, and represents a significant threat to enterprise security environments where Adobe Reader remains widely deployed. The attack surface is particularly concerning as PDF documents are commonly used in business communications and can be easily delivered through email attachments or web downloads. The exploitation process typically involves crafting a malicious PRC file that triggers the memory corruption when opened by the vulnerable Acrobat Reader application, potentially enabling remote code execution without user interaction in some scenarios.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution to encompass complete system compromise and data exfiltration capabilities. Attackers can leverage this weakness to establish persistent backdoors, escalate privileges, and access sensitive corporate information stored on affected systems. The vulnerability's presence in multiple version ranges indicates a prolonged period of exposure, providing attackers with ample opportunity to develop and deploy exploitation tools. Security researchers have documented various attack vectors including phishing campaigns targeting enterprise users and supply chain attacks leveraging the widespread deployment of Adobe Reader across different organizational domains. The affected PRC engine is part of Adobe's broader document processing framework, making it a prime target for advanced persistent threat actors seeking to maintain long-term access to compromised networks. Organizations running these vulnerable versions face increased risk of data breaches, intellectual property theft, and regulatory compliance violations. The memory corruption aspect of this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007, which covers command and scripting interpreter usage, as attackers can leverage the arbitrary code execution to deploy additional malicious payloads or establish command and control channels.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-11222 require immediate action from organizations to reduce their exposure to potential exploitation. The primary recommendation involves updating to the latest version of Adobe Acrobat Reader where the vulnerability has been patched, though this process must be carefully managed to avoid disrupting critical business operations. Network segmentation and application whitelisting can provide additional defense layers by restricting the execution of Adobe Reader to trusted environments and preventing unauthorized access to potentially malicious documents. Security teams should implement strict email filtering policies to identify and quarantine suspicious PDF attachments that may contain malformed PRC data structures. Regular vulnerability scanning and penetration testing can help identify systems running vulnerable versions and ensure proper patch management implementation. Organizations should also consider deploying endpoint protection solutions with behavioral monitoring capabilities that can detect anomalous execution patterns associated with exploitation attempts. The remediation process must include comprehensive testing of patches in controlled environments before widespread deployment to prevent potential application compatibility issues. Additionally, user education programs should emphasize the importance of avoiding suspicious email attachments and verifying document sources before opening PDF files, particularly those containing embedded content or complex formatting that might trigger the vulnerable PRC engine.