CVE-2017-3041 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 parsing font data in the MakeAccessible plugin. Successful exploitation could lead to arbitrary code execution.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/31/2024
Adobe Acrobat Reader contains a critical memory corruption vulnerability in its MakeAccessible plugin that affects multiple version ranges including 11.0.19 and earlier, 15.006.30280 and earlier, and 15.023.20070 and earlier. This vulnerability stems from improper handling of font data during the parsing process within the plugin component responsible for accessibility features. The flaw occurs when the application processes malformed font structures that trigger buffer overflows or heap corruption conditions. The technical implementation lacks adequate input validation and memory boundary checks when processing font resources, creating opportunities for attackers to craft malicious font files that exploit these weaknesses. This vulnerability represents a classic buffer overflow scenario classified under CWE-121 which encompasses unsafe use of buffer operations and memory management flaws. The exploitation vector targets the plugin architecture that processes accessibility data, making it particularly dangerous as it can be triggered through normal document processing operations.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution to encompass complete system compromise. Attackers can leverage this memory corruption flaw to inject and execute arbitrary code within the context of the Acrobat Reader application process, potentially gaining unauthorized access to sensitive system resources. The vulnerability's exploitability is enhanced by the fact that it can be triggered through routine document opening activities, making it particularly insidious for targeted attacks. The compromised system could allow adversaries to establish persistent access, escalate privileges, or exfiltrate confidential information. Security analysts have categorized this vulnerability under attack techniques that align with the ATT&CK framework's execution and privilege escalation domains, particularly focusing on legitimate program execution and process injection methods. The widespread use of Adobe Acrobat Reader across enterprise environments increases the potential impact of successful exploitation, as attackers can target numerous systems with a single payload.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including prompt patching of affected versions to address the memory corruption vulnerability in the MakeAccessible plugin. The recommended approach involves updating to the latest available versions of Adobe Acrobat Reader that contain fixes for the identified buffer overflow conditions. Security teams should also consider implementing application whitelisting policies that restrict execution of untrusted font files or documents containing potentially malicious font data. Network-based protections such as intrusion detection systems can be configured to monitor for known exploitation patterns associated with this vulnerability. Additional defensive measures include disabling the MakeAccessible plugin when not required, implementing sandboxing techniques for document processing, and conducting regular vulnerability assessments to identify other potential attack vectors. System administrators should also establish monitoring protocols to detect unusual process behavior that might indicate exploitation attempts, particularly focusing on memory access patterns and code injection activities. The vulnerability's classification under CWE-121 emphasizes the need for comprehensive memory safety practices including proper bounds checking, use of safe string handling functions, and regular code reviews to prevent similar issues in future implementations.