CVE-2017-2945 in Acrobat Reader
Summary
by MITRE
Adobe Acrobat Reader versions 15.020.20042 and earlier, 15.006.30244 and earlier, 11.0.18 and earlier have an exploitable heap overflow vulnerability when parsing TIFF image files. Successful exploitation could lead to arbitrary code execution.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/28/2022
Adobe Acrobat Reader contains a critical heap overflow vulnerability in its TIFF image parsing functionality that affects multiple version ranges including 15.020.20042 and earlier, 15.006.30244 and earlier, and 11.0.18 and earlier. This vulnerability resides in the software's handling of malformed TIFF image files and represents a classic buffer overflow condition where insufficient bounds checking allows an attacker to write data beyond the allocated heap memory boundaries. The flaw manifests when the application processes specially crafted TIFF files that contain maliciously constructed metadata or image data structures that exceed the expected buffer sizes during parsing operations. This heap overflow condition creates opportunities for attackers to manipulate memory layout and potentially execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the user running the vulnerable application.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability follows established patterns found in heap-based buffer overflow attacks and aligns with common attack techniques documented in the mitre attack framework under the technique of code injection. The vulnerability maps to cwe-121 heap-based buffer overflow as defined by the common weakness enumeration, where insufficient memory bounds checking allows attackers to overwrite adjacent heap memory regions. When an attacker successfully triggers this condition, they can manipulate the program flow by overwriting return addresses, function pointers, or other critical memory structures within the heap allocation. The exploitation typically requires the user to open a maliciously crafted TIFF file, making this a user-interaction dependent vulnerability that can be delivered through social engineering campaigns or compromised websites. The impact extends beyond simple code execution to potentially allow privilege escalation depending on the user context and system configuration.
The operational impact of this vulnerability creates significant risk for organizations relying on Adobe Acrobat Reader for document processing and viewing. Attackers can leverage this flaw to execute malicious code on target systems without requiring administrator privileges, potentially leading to complete system compromise through subsequent exploitation chains. The vulnerability affects a broad user base since Adobe Acrobat Reader remains widely deployed across enterprise environments, making it an attractive target for cybercriminals seeking persistent access to organizational networks. Organizations may experience unauthorized data access, system infiltration, and potential lateral movement within networks where vulnerable systems exist. The exploitation of this vulnerability can result in the installation of backdoors, keyloggers, or other persistent malware that maintains access to compromised systems. Security teams must consider the implications of this vulnerability in their incident response planning and vulnerability management processes, particularly given the long window of exposure before patches were released.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should include immediate deployment of Adobe's security patches and updates as recommended through official channels. Organizations should implement network-based controls such as web application firewalls and content filtering to prevent access to potentially malicious TIFF files from untrusted sources. User education programs should emphasize the importance of avoiding suspicious email attachments and website downloads that might contain malicious TIFF files. System hardening measures including heap protection mechanisms, address space layout randomization, and data execution prevention should be enabled to reduce the effectiveness of exploitation attempts. Regular vulnerability scanning and penetration testing should include checks for outdated Adobe Acrobat Reader installations to identify and remediate vulnerable systems. The implementation of principle of least privilege access controls and regular security assessments can help minimize the potential impact should exploitation occur. Organizations should also maintain updated incident response procedures specifically addressing heap overflow vulnerabilities and ensure that security teams are trained to recognize and respond to exploitation attempts targeting this class of vulnerability.