CVE-2017-11233 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 Enhanced Metafile Format (EMF) data related to block transfer of pixels. 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 and specifically targets the processing of Enhanced Metafile Format (EMF) data. The flaw occurs during the block transfer of pixels operation which is a fundamental component of how EMF files are rendered within the application. The memory corruption vulnerability represents a critical weakness that allows attackers to manipulate memory structures through crafted EMF input files. This particular issue affects multiple versions of Adobe Acrobat Reader including the 2017, 2015, and 11.0.x series, indicating a widespread exposure across the product's lifecycle. The vulnerability's classification aligns with CWE-121, which describes heap-based buffer overflow conditions, and CWE-125, which covers out-of-bounds read errors that can lead to memory corruption.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability requires an attacker to craft a malicious EMF file that triggers the flawed image conversion logic when the document is opened or rendered within Acrobat Reader. During the pixel block transfer operation, the application fails to properly validate or bounds-check the input data, allowing for memory corruption that can be leveraged to execute arbitrary code. This type of vulnerability falls under the ATT&CK framework's technique T1203, which involves exploitation of software vulnerabilities to gain unauthorized access and execute malicious code. The memory corruption occurs in a context where the application has elevated privileges, making successful exploitation particularly dangerous as it could enable full system compromise. The vulnerability demonstrates a classic buffer overflow pattern where insufficient input validation leads to memory overwrite conditions.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution as it provides attackers with a potential pathway for complete system compromise. When a user opens a maliciously crafted EMF file within Acrobat Reader, the attacker can gain control over the application's execution flow and potentially escalate privileges to system level access. This makes the vulnerability particularly attractive for advanced persistent threat actors who may use it as an initial access vector. The widespread deployment of Adobe Acrobat Reader across enterprise environments means that successful exploitation could affect numerous targets simultaneously. Organizations using older versions of the software are especially vulnerable since these versions lack the memory safety mechanisms and input validation controls that would prevent such corruption.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should prioritize immediate patching of affected Adobe Acrobat Reader versions to the latest available security updates. System administrators should implement strict file validation policies that prevent automatic execution of potentially malicious EMF files, particularly in high-risk environments. Network-based controls such as web application firewalls and content filtering systems can be configured to block EMF file types or scan them for known malicious patterns. The implementation of exploit prevention measures including address space layout randomization and data execution prevention can help reduce the effectiveness of exploitation attempts. Additionally, user education regarding the dangers of opening untrusted document files and the importance of keeping software updated should be emphasized as part of a comprehensive security posture. Organizations should also consider implementing sandboxing techniques that isolate document processing operations to limit the potential impact of successful exploitation attempts.