CVE-2017-11254 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 use after free vulnerability in the Acrobat/Reader's JavaScript engine. Successful exploitation could lead to arbitrary code execution.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/31/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-11254 represents a critical use after free flaw within Adobe Acrobat Reader's JavaScript engine, affecting 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 resides in the core processing mechanisms of the PDF reader's JavaScript interpreter, specifically within how the engine handles memory management for objects that are freed but subsequently accessed. The flaw manifests when the JavaScript engine fails to properly track object references after memory deallocation, creating opportunities for attackers to manipulate freed memory locations.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability involves crafting malicious PDF documents containing specially crafted JavaScript code that triggers the use after free condition during normal document processing. When Acrobat Reader processes such malicious content, the JavaScript engine attempts to access memory that has already been freed, potentially allowing an attacker to control the execution flow of the application. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-416, which specifically addresses use after free conditions in software development, where memory is accessed after it has been freed by the program. The exploitation chain typically involves allocating memory for objects, freeing that memory, and then manipulating the freed memory to redirect execution flow, often through return-oriented programming or direct code injection techniques.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-11254 extends beyond simple code execution, as it provides attackers with a powerful foothold for further compromise within the target environment. Successful exploitation allows attackers to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the Acrobat Reader process, which typically runs with the same privileges as the user who opened the malicious document. This vulnerability can be leveraged for privilege escalation attacks, lateral movement within networks, and deployment of additional malware payloads. The attack surface is particularly concerning given that PDF documents are commonly shared across organizations and can be easily delivered through email attachments, web downloads, or malicious websites. The vulnerability's presence in multiple versions of Adobe Acrobat Reader indicates a widespread exposure across various organizational environments, making it an attractive target for cybercriminals seeking to maximize their attack efficiency.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including prompt patching of affected Adobe Acrobat Reader versions, deployment of network-based intrusion detection systems to monitor for PDF-related anomalous activities, and user education regarding the dangers of opening untrusted PDF documents. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for JavaScript execution and T1203 for exploitation of remote services, making it a significant threat vector in the adversary's toolkit. Additionally, implementing application whitelisting policies that restrict execution of Adobe Acrobat Reader from untrusted sources, along with regular security assessments of document handling processes, can significantly reduce the risk of exploitation. The vulnerability's classification as a remote code execution flaw means that organizations must also consider their incident response procedures for handling potential exploitation attempts, as the attack could occur without user interaction if the PDF is automatically processed by the system.