CVE-2017-16406 in Acrobat Reader
Summary
by MITRE
An issue was discovered in Adobe Acrobat and Reader: 2017.012.20098 and earlier versions, 2017.011.30066 and earlier versions, 2015.006.30355 and earlier versions, and 11.0.22 and earlier versions. This vulnerability is an instance of a type confusion vulnerability in the EMF processing module. The issue causes the program to access an object using an incompatible type, leading to an out of bounds memory access. Attackers can exploit the vulnerability by using the out of bounds access for unintended reads, writes, or frees -- potentially leading to code corruption, control-flow hijack, or information leak attack.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/04/2024
This vulnerability represents a critical type confusion flaw within Adobe Acrobat and Reader applications that affects multiple version ranges including 2017.012.20098 and earlier, 2017.011.30066 and earlier, 2015.006.30355 and earlier, and 11.0.22 and earlier versions. The vulnerability specifically resides in the EMF processing module, which handles Enhanced Metafile format graphics files commonly used in Windows environments. Type confusion vulnerabilities occur when a program incorrectly handles data types, leading to situations where memory operations are performed using incompatible object types. This particular flaw manifests as an out of bounds memory access condition that can be exploited through maliciously crafted EMF files.
The technical execution of this vulnerability involves the exploitation of memory access patterns that allow attackers to manipulate object references beyond their intended boundaries. When the EMF processing module encounters malformed input data, it fails to properly validate type information during object handling, resulting in memory operations that access regions beyond allocated buffers. This type confusion allows for arbitrary memory reads, writes, and potential memory deallocations that can be leveraged to corrupt program execution. The vulnerability's classification under CWE-466 indicates it involves the use of an object after it has been freed or when the object's type is not properly validated, creating opportunities for attackers to manipulate program flow and execute malicious code.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-16406 extends beyond simple information disclosure to encompass full system compromise potential through code corruption and control-flow hijacking. Attackers can leverage the out of bounds access to overwrite critical program memory locations, potentially redirecting execution flow to malicious payloads. This vulnerability enables attackers to perform information leakage attacks that can expose sensitive memory contents, including cryptographic keys, user credentials, or application data. The exploitation requires minimal user interaction, typically through opening a malicious EMF file, making it particularly dangerous in targeted attack scenarios. The vulnerability's presence in widely deployed Adobe Reader applications means that successful exploitation can lead to widespread compromise across enterprise networks and individual user systems.
Security mitigations for this vulnerability should focus on immediate patch deployment as provided by Adobe through their security bulletins and regular software updates. Organizations should implement strict file validation policies that prevent execution of untrusted EMF files, particularly in high-risk environments such as financial institutions or government agencies. Network-based defenses can include content filtering solutions that block suspicious EMF file attachments and implement sandboxing mechanisms for file processing. From a defensive perspective, this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and control communications, as exploitation may involve establishing persistent access through compromised systems. System administrators should also consider implementing memory protection mechanisms such as address space layout randomization and data execution prevention to reduce the effectiveness of exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper input validation and type safety in multimedia processing components, as highlighted in industry best practices for secure coding standards and vulnerability management protocols.