CVE-2017-3034 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 integer overflow vulnerability in the XML Forms Architecture (XFA) engine, related to layout functionality. Successful exploitation could lead to arbitrary code execution.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/31/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-3034 represents a critical integer overflow flaw within Adobe Acrobat Reader's XML Forms Architecture XFA engine, affecting multiple version ranges including 11.0.19 and earlier, 15.006.30280 and earlier, and 15.023.20070 and earlier. This vulnerability specifically manifests within the layout functionality of the XFA engine, which processes structured data within PDF documents. The integer overflow occurs when the application handles malformed XFA data structures, creating conditions where arithmetic operations exceed the maximum value that can be stored in the affected integer variables. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-190, which specifically addresses integer overflow conditions that can lead to memory corruption and arbitrary code execution.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability requires an attacker to craft a malicious PDF document containing specially constructed XFA data that triggers the integer overflow during the layout processing phase. When a user opens such a document, the XFA engine attempts to calculate memory allocations or buffer sizes based on malformed input data, causing integer overflow conditions that result in memory corruption. The overflow can overwrite adjacent memory locations, potentially allowing an attacker to control the program execution flow and execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the victim user. This vulnerability demonstrates characteristics consistent with the attack pattern described in ATT&CK technique T1203, where adversaries leverage application vulnerabilities to execute code through crafted input data.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-3034 extends beyond simple privilege escalation, as it can be exploited in targeted attacks against unsuspecting users who open malicious PDF documents. The vulnerability affects a widely used application with extensive deployment across enterprise and individual user environments, making it particularly attractive to threat actors seeking broad exploitation potential. Security researchers have noted that the XFA engine's handling of layout computations creates a particularly dangerous attack surface, as layout processing often involves complex memory management operations that can be easily manipulated through crafted input data. The vulnerability's classification as exploitable indicates that successful exploitation is not only theoretically possible but has been demonstrated in practice, making it a significant concern for organizations relying on Adobe Acrobat Reader for document processing.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including prompt application of Adobe's security patches and updates to Adobe Acrobat Reader versions that address this specific integer overflow vulnerability. System administrators should consider implementing PDF document sanitization policies and restricting user access to potentially malicious file types. The vulnerability highlights the importance of keeping enterprise applications updated, particularly those with complex processing engines like PDF readers that handle untrusted input data. Additional protective measures include deploying network-based security controls such as web application firewalls and content filtering systems that can detect and block malicious PDF documents containing crafted XFA data structures. Security monitoring should focus on identifying unusual PDF processing activities and potential exploitation attempts through anomalous memory allocation patterns or execution flows that may indicate successful exploitation of this vulnerability.