CVE-2017-2974 in Digital Editions
Summary
by MITRE
Adobe Digital Editions versions 4.5.3 and earlier have an exploitable memory corruption vulnerability. Successful exploitation could lead to arbitrary code execution.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/25/2024
Adobe Digital Editions version 4.5.3 and earlier contains a critical memory corruption vulnerability that presents a significant security risk to users and organizations. This vulnerability falls under the category of heap-based buffer overflow as identified by CWE-122, where insufficient bounds checking allows attackers to write beyond allocated memory regions. The flaw manifests when the application processes specially crafted EPUB files, which are commonly used digital book formats that can contain embedded multimedia content and scripts. The vulnerability stems from improper input validation within the application's handling of structured data elements, particularly in how it manages memory allocation for parsing complex document structures. When an attacker crafts a malicious EPUB file with oversized or malformed data fields, the application fails to properly validate the input before processing, leading to memory corruption that can be exploited to execute arbitrary code. This type of vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it can be triggered through simple file manipulation without requiring any special privileges or complex attack vectors.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond individual user systems to potentially compromise entire organizational networks. Attackers can leverage this flaw through social engineering tactics by distributing malicious EPUB files via email attachments, compromised websites, or file sharing platforms. Once executed, the malicious code can establish persistence mechanisms, escalate privileges, or serve as a launching point for further attacks within the network. The vulnerability's exploitability is enhanced by the widespread use of Adobe Digital Editions across various sectors including educational institutions, libraries, and corporate environments where digital reading materials are commonly distributed. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to multiple techniques including initial access through malicious files, execution via legitimate system processes, and privilege escalation when the application runs with elevated permissions. The memory corruption aspect aligns with techniques categorized under code injection and memory manipulation, making it a versatile attack vector that can bypass many traditional security controls.
Organizations and users must implement immediate mitigation strategies to protect against exploitation of this vulnerability. The most effective approach involves updating to Adobe Digital Editions version 4.5.4 or later, which includes patched memory validation routines and improved bounds checking mechanisms. System administrators should also consider implementing application whitelisting policies that restrict execution of unauthorized digital reading applications, particularly in environments where users may inadvertently download malicious content. Network-level defenses should include content filtering and sandboxing of file attachments, especially those related to document formats. Users should be educated about the risks of opening unknown or untrusted EPUB files, with particular emphasis on verifying file sources and maintaining current software versions. Additional protective measures include disabling automatic opening of document attachments, implementing regular security audits of digital reading applications, and establishing incident response procedures specifically for handling potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the importance of maintaining updated digital content management systems and the critical need for proper input validation in all software components handling external data. Organizations should also consider implementing automated patch management systems to ensure timely deployment of security updates across all endpoints using vulnerable software versions.