CVE-2017-11253 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 including 2017.012.20098 and earlier, 2017.011.30066 and earlier, 2015.006.30355 and earlier, and 11.0.22 and earlier. This vulnerability resides in the handling of PDF file structures and represents a classic memory safety issue that falls under the CWE-125 weakness category for out-of-bounds read conditions. The flaw occurs when the software processes malformed PDF content that triggers an improper bounds check during memory access operations. When an attacker crafts a specially designed PDF document containing maliciously structured data, the application's parser fails to validate array indices or buffer boundaries properly, leading to memory access violations that can be exploited to execute arbitrary code within the context of the current user account.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution as it provides attackers with a potential pathway to escalate privileges and compromise user systems. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter and T1068 for exploit for privilege escalation. Successful exploitation requires a user to open a malicious PDF file, making this a typical social engineering target that could be delivered via email phishing campaigns or compromised websites. The out-of-bounds read condition allows attackers to manipulate memory pointers and potentially overwrite critical program structures, creating opportunities for code injection attacks. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to execute malicious payloads that may include malware installation, credential theft, or further system compromise.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate patching of affected Adobe Acrobat and Reader versions to the latest security updates provided by Adobe. Organizations should implement strict PDF file validation policies and consider deploying sandboxing solutions to isolate PDF processing activities. Network security controls such as web application firewalls and content filtering systems can help block malicious PDF files before they reach end users. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of secure coding practices and proper bounds checking in document processing software, emphasizing the need for regular security assessments of third-party applications. System administrators should also implement user education programs to raise awareness about suspicious PDF attachments and the risks associated with opening untrusted document files. This vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of keeping software updated and implementing defense-in-depth strategies to protect against zero-day exploits targeting commonly used applications.