CVE-2017-11228 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 image conversion engine when processing JPEG 2000 (JP2) code stream data. Successful exploitation could lead to arbitrary code execution.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/30/2024
This vulnerability exists within Adobe Acrobat Reader's image conversion engine specifically when processing JPEG 2000 file format data. The flaw manifests as a memory corruption issue that occurs during the parsing of JP2 code stream data, representing a critical security weakness in the software's handling of multimedia content. The vulnerability affects multiple versions of Adobe Acrobat Reader across different release cycles, including 2017.009.20058 and earlier, 2017.008.30051 and earlier, 2015.006.30306 and earlier, and 11.0.20 and earlier versions. The memory corruption vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and boundary checking within the JP2 processing code, creating opportunities for attackers to craft malicious files that trigger buffer overflows or other memory corruption conditions.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the image conversion engine's failure to properly validate the structure and size of JPEG 2000 code stream data before processing. When a malicious JP2 file is opened, the engine attempts to convert the image data without adequate safeguards, leading to memory corruption that can be exploited to execute arbitrary code on the target system. This represents a classic buffer overflow scenario where attacker-controlled data exceeds the allocated memory boundaries, potentially allowing for stack corruption or heap manipulation. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-121, which describes stack-based buffer overflow conditions, and CWE-122, which covers heap-based buffer overflow scenarios. From an attack perspective, this vulnerability maps to the ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter and T1203 for exploitation for execution, as successful exploitation can result in full system compromise.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution, as it provides attackers with a pathway to gain persistent access to affected systems. Once exploited, adversaries can install malware, establish backdoors, or escalate privileges within the compromised environment. The widespread use of Adobe Acrobat Reader across enterprise networks and individual workstations amplifies the potential damage, as a single compromised system can serve as a foothold for broader network infiltration. Organizations running affected versions face significant risk of targeted attacks, particularly in environments where users frequently open PDF documents from untrusted sources. The vulnerability's exploitability factor is high due to the nature of PDF document handling, which often occurs automatically when documents are opened, making it difficult to prevent without proper patch management and user education.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate patch deployment to update Adobe Acrobat Reader to versions that address the memory corruption issues in the JP2 processing engine. Organizations should implement comprehensive patch management procedures to ensure all affected systems receive updates promptly. Network segmentation and access controls can help limit the potential impact of exploitation by restricting access to sensitive systems and reducing the attack surface. Additional protective measures include implementing sandboxing technologies for PDF document handling, deploying email filtering solutions to block malicious attachments, and establishing user awareness training to reduce the likelihood of opening compromised documents. Security monitoring should focus on detecting unusual PDF processing activities and potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of keeping software updated and maintaining robust security practices to defend against memory corruption exploits that can lead to complete system compromise.