CVE-2017-3012 in Acrobat Reader
Summary
by MITRE
Adobe Acrobat Reader versions 11.0.19 and earlier, 15.006.30280 and earlier, 15.023.20070 and earlier have an insecure library loading (DLL hijacking) vulnerability in the OCR plugin.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/29/2020
Adobe Acrobat Reader contains a critical insecure library loading vulnerability that affects multiple version ranges including 11.0.19 and earlier, 15.006.30280 and earlier, and 15.023.20070 and earlier. This vulnerability exists within the OCR plugin component and represents a classic DLL hijacking flaw that allows attackers to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the victim user. The vulnerability stems from the application's improper handling of dynamic library loading sequences where it fails to properly validate or restrict the paths from which it loads required DLL files. When the OCR plugin is invoked during document processing, the application searches for dependent libraries in a predictable order that includes the current working directory before system directories, creating an exploitable window where malicious DLLs can be loaded in place of legitimate ones. This issue directly maps to CWE-427 Uncontrolled Search Path Element, which occurs when a program searches for libraries or other resources in a path that can be manipulated by an attacker. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it can be triggered through ordinary document processing activities, requiring no special user interaction beyond opening a malicious document. Attackers can place a specially crafted malicious DLL in the same directory as a legitimate document or in a location that the application will search first, effectively hijacking the loading process. The operational impact is significant as successful exploitation allows attackers to execute arbitrary code on the victim system, potentially leading to complete system compromise. The vulnerability affects both Windows and potentially other operating systems where the application is deployed, making it a widespread concern for enterprise environments. This type of attack aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059 Command and Scripting Interpreter and T1068 Exploitation for Privilege Escalation, as it leverages application weaknesses to gain elevated privileges. Organizations should immediately apply patches from Adobe to resolve this vulnerability, as the company released updated versions that properly implement secure library loading practices. The fix involves ensuring that applications load libraries only from trusted system directories and implementing proper path validation to prevent loading of unauthorized DLLs. System administrators should also consider implementing application whitelisting policies and monitoring for suspicious library loading activities as additional defensive measures. Without proper mitigation, this vulnerability represents a serious threat to organizations that rely on Adobe Acrobat Reader for document processing and can be exploited in targeted attacks or mass deployment campaigns.