CVE-2017-16418 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 image conversion module that handles XPS files. 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.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/03/2024
This vulnerability exists in Adobe Acrobat and Reader software across 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 flaw manifests within the image conversion module responsible for processing XPS files, representing a classic buffer over-read condition that occurs when the application attempts to access memory locations beyond the allocated buffer boundaries. The vulnerability stems from improper bounds checking during the processing of XPS file data structures, specifically when handling pointer arithmetic operations that result in out-of-range memory access patterns.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves a computation that reads data past the end of a target buffer, which falls under the CWE-125 vulnerability category known as "Out-of-bounds Read". During XPS file processing, the application's image conversion module performs pointer operations that access internal data structure fields using invalid offset values, causing the system to reference memory locations that extend beyond the intended buffer limits. This improper memory access pattern creates a scenario where the application may read sensitive information from adjacent memory regions, potentially exposing confidential data stored in nearby memory locations.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data exposure, as it represents a significant security risk that could be exploited by malicious actors. When an attacker crafts a malicious XPS file and convinces a user to open it within the vulnerable Adobe software, the application's failure to properly validate buffer boundaries during image conversion can lead to information disclosure. This type of vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for execution through scripting and potentially T1566 for initial access via malicious documents. The exposure of sensitive data could include user credentials, system information, or other confidential data stored in memory, making this a critical concern for organizations relying on Adobe Acrobat and Reader for document processing.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate patch application from Adobe, as the company has released security updates addressing this specific buffer over-read issue. Organizations should implement strict document validation policies, particularly for XPS files, and consider deploying sandboxing solutions to isolate document processing activities. Additionally, security teams should monitor for any indicators of compromise related to malicious XPS files and implement network-based intrusion detection systems to identify potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper memory management practices and bounds checking in document processing applications, aligning with industry standards that emphasize defensive programming techniques to prevent buffer overflow conditions. Regular security assessments of document processing software and mandatory patch management procedures should be implemented to prevent similar vulnerabilities from being exploited in the future.