CVE-2017-11244 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 transformation of blocks of pixels. 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 in its image conversion 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 specifically manifests when processing Enhanced Metafile Format EMF data during pixel block transformation operations. The flaw resides in how the application handles memory allocation and manipulation during image conversion processes, creating opportunities for attackers to craft malicious EMF files that trigger buffer overflows or heap corruption conditions. This memory corruption vulnerability falls under CWE-121, heap-based buffer overflow, and represents a classic use-after-free or integer overflow scenario that can be exploited through crafted input files. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it operates within the image processing pipeline of a widely used document reader application, making it an attractive target for attackers seeking to execute arbitrary code on victim systems.
The exploitation of this vulnerability requires an attacker to craft a malicious EMF file that, when opened by an affected version of Adobe Acrobat Reader, triggers the flawed image conversion logic. During the transformation of pixel blocks, the application fails to properly validate input parameters or bounds checking, allowing attackers to manipulate memory layout and potentially overwrite critical program structures. The attack vector leverages the application's legitimate processing capabilities while abusing the lack of proper input sanitization in the EMF parsing code. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1203, Exploitation for Client Execution, where adversaries leverage application vulnerabilities to execute malicious code on target systems. The memory corruption occurs at the kernel level during graphics processing operations, making it particularly challenging to detect and prevent through traditional endpoint protection mechanisms.
Successful exploitation of CVE-2017-11244 can result in complete system compromise, as attackers can execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the affected user. The vulnerability enables privilege escalation scenarios where attackers can gain elevated system access and potentially establish persistent backdoors. The impact extends beyond simple code execution to include data exfiltration, system reconnaissance, and lateral movement within compromised networks. Organizations running affected versions of Adobe Acrobat Reader face significant risk exposure, particularly in environments where users frequently open untrusted PDF documents or where document sharing occurs across network boundaries. The vulnerability's widespread presence across multiple Acrobat Reader versions means that even organizations with patch management processes may have systems vulnerable if they haven't updated to versions containing the fix. Security teams should prioritize this vulnerability for immediate remediation due to its exploitable nature and the high value of the target applications.
Mitigation strategies should include immediate deployment of Adobe's security patches, which address the memory corruption issues in the EMF processing engine through proper bounds checking and memory management. Organizations should implement network-based controls such as PDF file filtering to prevent potentially malicious documents from reaching end users, particularly in high-risk environments. Regular application updates and patch management programs should be enforced across all systems running Adobe Acrobat Reader to prevent similar vulnerabilities from being exploited. Security monitoring should include detection of suspicious EMF file processing activities and unusual memory access patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of validating all external input data and implementing robust memory safety practices in document processing applications. Additionally, user education about avoiding untrusted PDF files and enabling security features such as sandboxing in Adobe Reader can provide additional layers of protection against exploitation attempts.