CVE-2017-16414 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 occurs as a result of a computation that reads data that is past the end of the target buffer; the computation is a part of the JavaScript API module responsible for form field computation. The use of an invalid (out-of-range) pointer offset during access of internal data structure fields causes the vulnerability. A successful attack can lead to sensitive data exposure.
If you want to get the best quality for vulnerability data then you always have to consider VulDB.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/03/2024
This vulnerability exists in Adobe Acrobat and Reader software versions prior to specific patches, affecting multiple release streams including 2017.012.20098, 2017.011.30066, 2015.006.30355, and 11.0.22. The flaw manifests within the JavaScript API module that handles form field computations, representing a classic buffer over-read condition that falls under the CWE-125 vulnerability category. The technical implementation involves a computation that accesses memory locations beyond the bounds of a target buffer, specifically when processing internal data structure fields through invalid pointer offsets.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple memory access violations, as it enables attackers to potentially extract sensitive data from memory locations that should remain protected. When the JavaScript engine processes form fields that trigger the vulnerable computation path, it attempts to read data past the end of allocated buffers, which can result in information disclosure. This type of vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for JavaScript execution and T1068 for local privilege escalation through memory corruption. The flaw is particularly concerning because it operates within the context of document processing, making it exploitable through malicious PDF files that contain crafted JavaScript code.
The root cause stems from improper bounds checking within the form field computation module, where the system fails to validate pointer arithmetic operations before accessing internal data structures. This allows for out-of-bounds memory reads that can expose sensitive information such as cryptographic keys, user credentials, or other confidential data stored in adjacent memory regions. Security researchers have identified this as a critical vulnerability due to its potential for data exfiltration and the ease with which it can be triggered through normal document interaction. The vulnerability affects not only the application's stability but also its security posture, as it creates opportunities for attackers to harvest sensitive information from memory dumps or through carefully crafted exploitation scenarios. Organizations should immediately apply the vendor patches released for affected versions and implement monitoring for suspicious PDF file processing activities to mitigate potential exploitation attempts.