CVE-2017-3017 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 memory corruption vulnerability when handling a malformed PDF file. Successful exploitation could lead to arbitrary code execution.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/29/2020
Adobe Acrobat Reader contains a critical memory corruption vulnerability that affects multiple versions including 11.0.19 and earlier, 15.006.30280 and earlier, and 15.023.20070 and earlier. This vulnerability stems from improper input validation when processing malformed PDF files, creating an exploitable condition that allows attackers to manipulate memory structures within the application. The flaw resides in the PDF parsing engine where insufficient bounds checking and memory management controls enable attackers to craft specially crafted PDF documents that trigger buffer overflows or heap corruption during document rendering. When a user opens such a malicious file, the application's memory handling routines fail to properly validate the size and structure of PDF elements, leading to unauthorized memory access patterns that can be leveraged for code execution. This vulnerability represents a classic example of a buffer overflow condition that falls under CWE-121, which describes stack-based buffer overflow issues, and potentially CWE-122 for heap-based overflow scenarios. The attack surface is particularly concerning given Acrobat Reader's widespread deployment across enterprise environments and individual users, making it an attractive target for adversaries seeking persistent access to systems. The exploitation mechanism typically involves crafting PDF files with malformed data structures that cause the application to allocate insufficient memory for processing certain elements, resulting in memory corruption that can be controlled to redirect execution flow. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter and T1190 for exploit public-facing application, as it enables attackers to execute arbitrary code on vulnerable systems through web-based or email delivery methods. The operational impact extends beyond simple code execution to include potential privilege escalation and persistence mechanisms, as attackers can leverage this vulnerability to establish footholds within network environments. Organizations using affected versions face significant risk exposure due to the application's extensive use in corporate and government sectors where PDF documents are routinely processed. The vulnerability's exploitation requires minimal user interaction beyond opening the malicious document, making it particularly dangerous in phishing campaigns or targeted attacks. Security researchers have noted that the memory corruption patterns in this vulnerability can be reliably reproduced, making it suitable for automated exploitation frameworks. The technical complexity of the flaw makes it challenging to detect through traditional signature-based approaches, requiring advanced memory analysis and behavioral monitoring to identify exploitation attempts. This vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date software patches and implementing robust application whitelisting policies to prevent execution of untrusted PDF content.
The memory corruption vulnerability in Adobe Acrobat Reader stems from inadequate validation of PDF file structures during parsing operations, creating conditions where attacker-controlled data can overwrite critical memory regions. The flaw specifically manifests when the application processes PDF objects with malformed size indicators or improperly structured data sequences that exceed allocated memory boundaries. This leads to heap corruption or stack overflow conditions that can be leveraged to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the user running the application. The vulnerability's exploitation requires careful crafting of PDF elements that trigger specific memory access patterns, typically involving the manipulation of object sizes, string lengths, or array dimensions within PDF structures. Attackers can exploit this condition through various delivery mechanisms including email attachments, web downloads, or malicious websites that serve the crafted PDF files. The vulnerability affects multiple version lines of Acrobat Reader, indicating a fundamental flaw in the parsing logic that was not properly addressed in the affected releases. This widespread impact across different version branches suggests that the underlying memory handling routines contain systematic validation gaps that persist across major releases, making the vulnerability particularly concerning for organizations with long-term support requirements. The exploitation process often involves multiple stages including initial code execution followed by privilege escalation or additional exploitation techniques to maintain access. The vulnerability's presence in widely deployed software creates a significant risk for organizations that cannot immediately patch all affected systems, necessitating the implementation of network segmentation and application control measures. Security professionals have identified that this vulnerability can be detected through memory analysis tools that monitor for abnormal memory access patterns or through behavioral monitoring that flags unusual PDF processing activities. The technical nature of the flaw requires specialized knowledge to exploit effectively, but the widespread use of Acrobat Reader ensures that successful exploitation can have broad impact across different organizational environments. Organizations should prioritize immediate patching of affected versions and implement monitoring solutions that can detect attempts to exploit this vulnerability through PDF processing activities. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of proper input validation and memory management in security-critical applications, particularly those handling untrusted data from external sources.