CVE-2017-11250 in Acrobat Reader
Summary
by MITRE
Adobe Acrobat and Reader versions 2017.012.20098 and earlier, 2017.011.30066 and earlier, 2015.006.30355 and earlier, 11.0.22 and earlier have an exploitable out-of-bounds read vulnerability. Successful exploitation could lead to arbitrary code execution in the context of the current user.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/07/2020
Adobe Acrobat and Reader applications contain a critical out-of-bounds read vulnerability that affects multiple versions across different release cycles. This vulnerability resides in the handling of PDF files and represents a classic memory corruption flaw that can be exploited by malicious actors. The issue manifests when the software processes malformed PDF content, specifically in the way it manages memory buffers during document parsing operations. The vulnerability is classified as CWE-125, which describes out-of-bounds read conditions that occur when a program reads data past the end of a valid buffer, potentially exposing sensitive memory contents or causing unpredictable behavior.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability requires an attacker to craft a specially designed PDF file that triggers the out-of-bounds read condition during normal document rendering operations. When a user opens such a malicious document, the application's memory management routines fail to properly validate buffer boundaries, allowing the program to access memory locations beyond the intended data structures. This flaw enables attackers to potentially execute arbitrary code within the context of the current user's privileges, effectively providing a pathway for remote code execution attacks. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it operates at the application level, meaning that successful exploitation does not require administrative privileges but rather user interaction with the malicious file.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution, as it represents a significant risk to enterprise security environments where Adobe Reader is widely deployed. Organizations that have not patched their systems remain vulnerable to targeted attacks that could result in complete system compromise, data exfiltration, or lateral movement within networks. Security researchers have noted that this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1203, which involves the exploitation of software vulnerabilities for remote code execution, and T1059, which covers the execution of commands through various attack vectors. The attack surface is broad given the widespread use of Adobe Reader across different operating systems and the common practice of opening PDF files from untrusted sources.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability primarily focus on immediate patch deployment and user education. Adobe released security updates that address the memory handling issues in affected versions, requiring organizations to apply these patches promptly to eliminate the risk. System administrators should implement automated patch management solutions to ensure all installations are updated consistently. Additional protective measures include restricting user permissions when opening PDF files, implementing application whitelisting policies, and deploying sandboxing technologies that isolate PDF processing from critical system resources. Network security controls such as email filtering and web proxies can also help prevent the delivery of malicious PDF files to end users. Organizations should also consider implementing endpoint detection and response solutions that can identify suspicious behavior patterns associated with exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of maintaining current security patches and highlights the need for robust software supply chain security practices that prevent the introduction of exploitable code into widely distributed applications.