CVE-2017-11234 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 TIFF data related to the way how the components of each pixel are stored. Successful exploitation could lead to arbitrary code execution.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/30/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-11234 represents a critical memory corruption flaw within Adobe Acrobat Reader's image processing capabilities, specifically within the TIFF data handling engine. This vulnerability affects multiple versions of Adobe Acrobat Reader including 2017.009.20058 and earlier, 2017.008.30051 and earlier, 2015.006.30306 and earlier, and 11.0.20 and earlier versions. The flaw manifests when the application processes TIFF image files, particularly focusing on how pixel components are stored and interpreted during the image conversion process. This memory corruption vulnerability exists in the underlying image conversion engine that handles various image formats, making it a prime target for exploitation by malicious actors seeking to compromise systems through document-based attacks.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from improper handling of pixel component storage within TIFF image data structures, creating conditions where memory can be overwritten or corrupted during the image rendering process. When Acrobat Reader encounters specially crafted TIFF files with malformed pixel component arrangements, the application fails to properly validate or sanitize these data structures before processing them, leading to memory corruption that can be exploited to execute arbitrary code. This type of vulnerability falls under the CWE-121 category of "Stack-based Buffer Overflow" and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1203, which involves the exploitation of memory corruption vulnerabilities to achieve code execution. The vulnerability's exploitable nature is heightened by the fact that it occurs during routine document processing, making it particularly dangerous as users may unknowingly trigger the exploit simply by opening a malicious document.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends far beyond simple document viewing, as it provides attackers with a pathway to achieve complete system compromise through targeted attacks. When successfully exploited, the vulnerability enables attackers to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the user running Acrobat Reader, potentially leading to full system compromise, data exfiltration, or establishment of persistent backdoors. The widespread use of Adobe Acrobat Reader across enterprise environments makes this vulnerability particularly attractive to threat actors, as it provides a common attack vector that can be delivered through email attachments, web downloads, or other document-based delivery mechanisms. The vulnerability's ability to execute code in the context of the Acrobat Reader application means that attackers can bypass many traditional security controls, as the exploitation occurs within a legitimate application that users expect and trust.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-11234 should prioritize immediate patching of affected Adobe Acrobat Reader versions, as Adobe released security updates to address this specific memory corruption vulnerability. Organizations should implement comprehensive patch management processes to ensure all instances of Acrobat Reader are updated to versions that contain the necessary security fixes. Additional defensive measures include deploying email filtering solutions that can identify and block suspicious TIFF attachments, implementing application whitelisting policies that restrict execution of untrusted documents, and utilizing sandboxing technologies to isolate document processing activities. Network-based intrusion detection systems should be configured to monitor for exploitation attempts targeting this vulnerability, while security awareness training should emphasize the dangers of opening unexpected document attachments. Organizations should also consider reducing the attack surface by disabling unnecessary image processing features within Acrobat Reader or implementing strict file type validation controls to prevent processing of potentially malicious TIFF files. The remediation process should include thorough testing of patches in controlled environments before widespread deployment to ensure compatibility with existing workflows and prevent operational disruptions.