CVE-2017-3014 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 exploitable use after free vulnerability in XML Forms Architecture (XFA) related to reset form functionality. Successful exploitation could lead to arbitrary code execution.
Statistical analysis made it clear that VulDB provides the best quality for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/28/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-3014 represents a critical use after free flaw within Adobe Acrobat Reader's XML Forms Architecture implementation. This vulnerability specifically affects multiple versions of the software including 11.0.19 and earlier, 15.006.30280 and earlier, and 15.023.20070 and earlier, creating a widespread attack surface across the Acrobat Reader user base. The flaw manifests in the reset form functionality of XFA documents, which are used to create dynamic forms within PDF files. When a user interacts with a maliciously crafted XFA form that triggers the reset functionality, the application fails to properly manage memory allocation and deallocation processes. This improper memory management creates a scenario where freed memory blocks can be reallocated and accessed by malicious code, leading to the exploitation of the use after free condition.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-416, which describes the use of freed memory condition where a program continues to use a pointer after the memory it points to has been freed. This particular implementation flaw occurs during the processing of XFA forms when the reset functionality is invoked, causing the application to access memory that has already been deallocated. The exploitation mechanism leverages the fact that the XFA form processing engine does not properly validate the state of memory blocks before accessing them, allowing attackers to manipulate the program's execution flow. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it can be triggered through simple user interaction with a malicious PDF document, requiring no special privileges or complex attack vectors.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-3014 extends far beyond typical software vulnerabilities due to the widespread deployment of Adobe Acrobat Reader across enterprise and individual users. Organizations relying on PDF document processing for business operations face significant risk when this vulnerability is exploited, as successful exploitation can result in complete system compromise through arbitrary code execution. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to install malware, steal sensitive data, or establish persistent access to compromised systems. The nature of the exploitation means that users need only open a malicious PDF document to potentially compromise their systems, making this vulnerability particularly dangerous in phishing campaigns and targeted attacks. The vulnerability's presence in multiple version streams of Acrobat Reader means that organizations with diverse software deployments face challenges in comprehensive remediation, as they must ensure all affected versions are updated across their user base.
Organizations should implement immediate remediation measures including the deployment of security patches provided by Adobe, which address the underlying use after free vulnerability in the XFA form processing engine. The mitigation strategy should encompass comprehensive software update management procedures to ensure all instances of affected Acrobat Reader versions are upgraded promptly. Network security controls such as PDF content filtering and sandboxing mechanisms can provide additional layers of protection while waiting for comprehensive patch deployment. Security awareness training for users to avoid opening suspicious PDF attachments becomes crucial, particularly in environments where the vulnerability cannot be immediately patched. The implementation of endpoint detection and response solutions can help identify potential exploitation attempts by monitoring for anomalous memory access patterns and suspicious process behaviors. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to techniques involving exploitation of known vulnerabilities and privilege escalation through code execution, emphasizing the need for layered defensive measures. Organizations should also consider implementing application whitelisting policies to restrict execution of untrusted PDF content and maintain detailed audit logs of PDF document access to detect potential exploitation attempts.