CVE-2017-11274 in Digital Editions
Summary
by MITRE
Adobe Digital Editions 4.5.4 and earlier has an exploitable use after free vulnerability. Successful exploitation could lead to arbitrary code execution.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/09/2021
Adobe Digital Editions version 4.5.4 and earlier contains a critical use after free vulnerability that presents a significant security risk to users of the software. This vulnerability falls under the category of memory corruption flaws where the application improperly handles memory management during the execution of certain operations. The flaw occurs when the software attempts to access memory that has already been freed, creating an exploitable condition that adversaries can leverage for malicious purposes. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it allows for arbitrary code execution, meaning an attacker who successfully exploits this flaw could gain complete control over the affected system. This type of vulnerability is classified as CWE-416 according to the Common Weakness Enumeration catalog, which specifically addresses the use of freed memory conditions. The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple exploitation as it affects the core functionality of digital content management systems, potentially compromising the integrity of digital publications and the broader computing environment. Attackers could craft malicious digital content or manipulate existing files to trigger the use after free condition, leading to unauthorized code execution with the privileges of the user running Adobe Digital Editions. The vulnerability's exploitability is enhanced by the fact that Adobe Digital Editions is commonly used for reading e-books and other digital publications, making it a prime target for social engineering attacks where users might unknowingly open malicious content. From an attack framework perspective, this vulnerability aligns with techniques described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under the T1059 category for command and scripting interpreter, as successful exploitation would likely involve executing arbitrary commands through the compromised application. The memory corruption nature of this vulnerability makes it particularly challenging to detect and prevent through traditional security measures, as the exploitation can occur during normal application usage patterns. Organizations and individuals using Adobe Digital Editions should immediately consider updating to versions that address this vulnerability, as the window for exploitation remains open in older releases. The vulnerability represents a serious threat to digital content security and underscores the importance of maintaining current software versions to protect against known memory corruption flaws that can lead to complete system compromise. This particular flaw demonstrates how seemingly benign applications can harbor critical security defects that affect not just the application itself but potentially the entire computing environment of users who rely on such software for daily operations.
The technical implementation of this use after free vulnerability involves specific memory management errors within Adobe Digital Editions' handling of digital publication objects. When the application processes certain types of digital content, it may allocate memory for objects representing publication elements, then later free that memory while still maintaining references to it. The flaw manifests when subsequent operations attempt to access this freed memory location, potentially allowing attackers to manipulate the memory contents or redirect execution flow. This type of vulnerability often stems from improper object lifecycle management where developers fail to properly track memory references or update pointers after memory deallocation. The attack surface is particularly broad as it involves the processing of digital publications, which can include various file formats and embedded content types that may trigger the vulnerable code path. The exploitation process requires careful crafting of input data that will cause the application to follow the specific execution path leading to the use after free condition, making it a sophisticated attack vector that requires targeted exploitation efforts. Security researchers have noted that such vulnerabilities often remain undetected for extended periods due to the complexity of memory management in modern applications and the difficulty of reproducing the exact conditions necessary for exploitation. The vulnerability's classification as a use after free flaw indicates that it may be susceptible to various exploitation techniques including return-oriented programming and other advanced attack methodologies that can bypass modern security protections.
The impact of this vulnerability extends beyond immediate code execution capabilities to encompass broader system compromise and data integrity concerns. Successful exploitation could enable attackers to install persistent backdoors, steal sensitive information, or manipulate digital content in ways that compromise the authenticity and integrity of published materials. The vulnerability affects not just individual users but also organizations that rely on Adobe Digital Editions for managing and distributing digital publications, potentially exposing corporate networks to unauthorized access through compromised user endpoints. The nature of the vulnerability means that even legitimate digital content could be used as a vector for exploitation, making detection and prevention particularly challenging for security teams. Organizations that have not updated their Adobe Digital Editions installations remain vulnerable to attacks that could result in complete system compromise, with potential for lateral movement within networks. The vulnerability also highlights the risks associated with digital publishing ecosystems, where the security of content management systems directly impacts the safety of end-user environments. From a compliance perspective, organizations using affected versions of Adobe Digital Editions may face regulatory scrutiny for maintaining outdated software with known security flaws. The exploitation of this vulnerability could lead to data breaches, intellectual property theft, or other serious security incidents that could have significant financial and reputational consequences for affected organizations. The vulnerability's persistence in older versions of the software emphasizes the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date security patches and the dangers of operating legacy software in modern threat environments.