CVE-2017-11235 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 use after free vulnerability in the image conversion engine when decompressing JPEG data. 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-2017-11235 represents a critical use after free flaw within Adobe Acrobat Reader's image processing capabilities. This issue affects multiple versions of the software 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 specifically manifests in the image conversion engine responsible for decompressing jpeg data, making it a target for exploitation by malicious actors who seek to compromise systems through document-based attacks.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from improper memory management within the jpeg decompression routine where freed memory blocks are subsequently accessed or reused without proper validation. This use after free condition creates a predictable memory access pattern that attackers can exploit to execute arbitrary code on vulnerable systems. The flaw operates at the intersection of memory corruption and code execution, allowing adversaries to manipulate the program flow through carefully crafted malicious jpeg files embedded within pdf documents.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability poses significant risks to enterprise environments where users frequently interact with pdf documents from untrusted sources. The exploitation mechanism requires only that a user opens a maliciously crafted pdf file containing specially constructed jpeg data, making it particularly dangerous in phishing campaigns and targeted attacks. The remote code execution capability means that attackers can establish persistent access, escalate privileges, or deploy additional malware without requiring local system access or user interaction beyond document opening.
Security professionals should note that this vulnerability aligns with CWE-416, which describes use after free conditions in software implementations, and maps to attack techniques in the ATT&CK framework under initial access and execution phases. The vulnerability demonstrates how image processing libraries can become attack vectors when proper memory management practices are not implemented. Organizations should prioritize immediate patching of affected versions and implement network-based protections such as pdf document filtering and sandboxing solutions. Additionally, user education regarding the dangers of opening unexpected pdf attachments remains crucial in mitigating the risk associated with this exploit. The vulnerability highlights the importance of maintaining current software versions and implementing comprehensive vulnerability management processes to prevent exploitation of known security flaws in widely used software applications.