CVE-2017-3039 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 in the PPKLite security handler. 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-2017-3039 resides within Adobe Acrobat Reader's PPKLite security handler component, affecting multiple version ranges including 11.0.19 and earlier, 15.006.30280 and earlier, and 15.023.20070 and earlier. This memory corruption flaw represents a critical security weakness that can be exploited by malicious actors to gain unauthorized control over affected systems. The PPKLite handler is specifically designed to process PKCS#12 certificate files, which are commonly used for storing and transporting cryptographic keys and certificates. When processing malformed or specially crafted PKCS#12 files, the vulnerability manifests as an improper memory handling condition that can result in buffer overflows or other memory corruption scenarios.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the manipulation of PKCS#12 certificate data structures within the PPKLite security handler. Attackers can craft malicious certificate files that trigger memory corruption when Adobe Acrobat Reader attempts to parse and process these certificates. The flaw stems from inadequate bounds checking and memory management within the certificate processing code, creating opportunities for attackers to overwrite adjacent memory locations. This type of vulnerability aligns with CWE-121, which describes heap-based buffer overflow conditions, and CWE-125, which covers out-of-bounds read vulnerabilities. The memory corruption can potentially be leveraged to execute arbitrary code within the context of the user running the vulnerable Adobe Acrobat Reader application.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-3039 extends beyond simple privilege escalation, as it represents a sophisticated attack vector that can be used in targeted campaigns against organizations. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it can be triggered through legitimate PDF document attachments that contain embedded certificate data, making it difficult for users to distinguish between benign and malicious content. When successfully exploited, the vulnerability allows attackers to execute code with the privileges of the user running Acrobat Reader, potentially leading to complete system compromise. This attack pattern corresponds to techniques described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under T1059 for command and scripting interpreter, and T1068 for exploit for privilege escalation. The vulnerability also aligns with the broader category of file format vulnerabilities that have historically been exploited in phishing campaigns and supply chain attacks.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-3039 primarily involve immediate patching of affected Adobe Acrobat Reader installations to the latest available versions that contain the security fixes. Organizations should implement comprehensive vulnerability management processes that include regular security updates and patch deployment across all systems running vulnerable software. Additionally, network administrators should consider implementing sandboxing techniques and application whitelisting policies to limit the potential impact of exploitation attempts. Security monitoring should focus on detecting unusual PDF processing activities and certificate-related network traffic that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability highlights the importance of maintaining updated security software and implementing defense-in-depth strategies that protect against multiple attack vectors simultaneously. Organizations should also consider implementing email filtering solutions that can identify and block malicious PDF attachments before they reach end users, as well as conducting regular security awareness training to educate staff about the risks associated with opening untrusted PDF documents containing embedded certificate data.