CVE-2017-11248 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 pixel block transfer. 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 which processes Enhanced Metafile Format (EMF) data, specifically during pixel block transfer operations. The flaw represents a memory corruption issue that can be triggered when the application handles malformed EMF files, allowing attackers to manipulate memory layout and potentially execute arbitrary code on affected systems. The 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, indicating a long-standing issue that spans multiple release cycles. The technical implementation involves improper bounds checking and memory management during the EMF processing workflow, particularly when handling pixel block transfer operations that involve complex data structures and memory allocations.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant as it enables remote code execution attacks without requiring user interaction beyond opening a malicious EMF file. Attackers can craft specially crafted EMF files that trigger the memory corruption when processed by the vulnerable Acrobat Reader application, potentially leading to complete system compromise. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-121, which describes stack-based buffer overflow conditions, and CWE-122, which covers heap-based buffer overflow conditions, both of which are common in image processing engines where memory boundaries are not properly enforced. The attack surface is broad given that EMF files are commonly used in Windows environments and can be embedded in various document formats, making exploitation relatively straightforward for threat actors.
From a cybersecurity perspective, this vulnerability maps to multiple ATT&CK techniques including T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter and T1068 for exploit for privilege escalation. The vulnerability demonstrates how image processing engines can serve as attack vectors in modern malware delivery chains, particularly in targeted attacks where attackers leverage the widespread use of PDF readers to execute malicious payloads. Organizations should implement strict file validation policies and consider sandboxing PDF processing environments to mitigate the risk. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of keeping software updated, as Adobe released patches for this issue in subsequent releases. Network-based defenses should include content filtering solutions that can detect and block malicious EMF files, while endpoint protection solutions should monitor for suspicious process behavior that might indicate exploitation attempts.
The memory corruption occurs during the conversion process when EMF data is parsed and transformed into displayable images, specifically when handling pixel block transfer operations that involve complex memory management. This type of vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it can be exploited through social engineering campaigns where users are tricked into opening malicious documents containing crafted EMF files. The vulnerability's exploitability is enhanced by the fact that PDF readers are commonly used across enterprise environments, making the attack surface particularly large. Security professionals should note that this vulnerability type often requires specific memory layout conditions to be successfully exploited, but once achieved, it provides attackers with a powerful means of executing arbitrary code with the privileges of the affected user.