CVE-2017-2953 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 memory corruption vulnerability in the image conversion module when processing a TIFF image. 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 memory corruption vulnerability in its image conversion module that specifically affects processing of TIFF image files. This vulnerability exists in multiple version ranges including 15.020.20042 and earlier, 15.006.30244 and earlier, and 11.0.18 and earlier versions. The flaw occurs when the application attempts to convert or process TIFF images, creating a condition where memory is improperly handled during the conversion process. This memory corruption vulnerability represents a classic buffer overflow scenario where insufficient bounds checking allows attackers to manipulate memory layout and potentially execute arbitrary code. The vulnerability falls under CWE-121, which describes stack-based buffer overflow conditions, and also aligns with CWE-125, representing out-of-bounds read vulnerabilities that can lead to memory corruption. From an operational perspective, successful exploitation of this vulnerability enables attackers to achieve remote code execution on affected systems, making it a severe threat vector. The attack surface is particularly concerning as Adobe Acrobat Reader is widely deployed across enterprise environments and individual workstations, increasing the potential impact of exploitation. Attackers could craft malicious TIFF images that, when opened by an unpatched Acrobat Reader application, trigger the memory corruption and allow for code execution with the privileges of the affected user. This vulnerability directly maps to ATT&CK technique T1203, which involves exploitation of software vulnerabilities for privilege escalation and code execution. The memory corruption aspect of this vulnerability also relates to ATT&CK technique T1059, specifically command and scripting interpreter usage, as exploited code could leverage system commands. Organizations should prioritize immediate patching of affected versions to prevent exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input validation and memory management in document processing applications, particularly those handling complex image formats like TIFF that require extensive parsing and conversion logic. Security teams should implement monitoring for suspicious PDF and TIFF file handling activities, as well as maintain up-to-date threat intelligence on potential exploitation attempts targeting this specific vulnerability. The widespread deployment of Adobe Acrobat Reader makes this vulnerability particularly dangerous, as it requires minimal user interaction for exploitation through social engineering campaigns targeting document attachments.