CVE-2017-11251 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 JPEG 2000 parsing module. Successful exploitation could lead to arbitrary code execution.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/31/2024
Adobe Acrobat Reader contains a critical memory corruption vulnerability in its JPEG 2000 parsing module 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 represents a classic buffer overflow condition that occurs when the application processes specially crafted JPEG 2000 image files, specifically within the parsing logic that handles the JP2 (JPEG 2000) file format structure. The flaw manifests when the software fails to properly validate input parameters during the decompression and parsing of JPEG 2000 encoded images, leading to memory corruption that can be exploited to execute arbitrary code within the context of the running application. This vulnerability is categorized under CWE-121 as a stack-based buffer overflow and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter, as exploitation typically involves crafting malicious payloads that leverage the memory corruption to gain remote code execution capabilities.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple exploitation as it represents a significant threat to enterprise environments where Adobe Acrobat Reader remains a widely deployed application for document viewing and processing. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability through social engineering campaigns targeting users who open maliciously crafted PDF documents containing embedded JPEG 2000 images, making it particularly dangerous in phishing scenarios and targeted attacks. The memory corruption occurs during the normal processing flow when Acrobat Reader attempts to parse JPEG 2000 components such as codestream data, tile data, or other JP2 file structure elements, where insufficient bounds checking allows attackers to overwrite critical memory locations including return addresses or function pointers. This vulnerability is particularly concerning because it operates within the application's core document processing pipeline, making it difficult to detect through standard network monitoring or endpoint protection solutions that may not specifically monitor PDF parsing operations.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including applying the latest security patches from Adobe, which address the memory corruption through proper bounds checking and input validation mechanisms within the JPEG 2000 parsing module. System administrators should consider implementing application whitelisting policies that restrict execution of potentially malicious PDF files, while also deploying network-based intrusion detection systems capable of identifying suspicious PDF file characteristics that may indicate exploitation attempts. Additionally, user education and awareness programs should emphasize the importance of verifying document sources and avoiding opening PDF files from untrusted sources, particularly those containing embedded image formats that could trigger the vulnerability. The recommended remediation strategy aligns with NIST SP 800-160 security principles for application security and incorporates elements of defense in depth as outlined in the MITRE ATT&CK framework, specifically addressing the persistence and execution phases of the cyber kill chain where this vulnerability would be exploited.