CVE-2017-3047 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 the JavaScript engine's annotation-related API. Successful exploitation could lead to arbitrary code execution.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/01/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-3047 represents a critical use after free flaw within Adobe Acrobat Reader's JavaScript engine, specifically affecting annotation-related application programming interfaces. This vulnerability exists in multiple version ranges including 11.0.19 and earlier, 15.006.30280 and earlier, and 15.023.20070 and earlier, making it a widespread concern across numerous Acrobat Reader deployments. The flaw manifests in the JavaScript engine's handling of annotation objects, where improper memory management allows attackers to manipulate freed memory regions. This type of vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it can be exploited to execute arbitrary code within the context of the vulnerable application, potentially leading to complete system compromise. The use after free condition occurs when the JavaScript engine continues to reference memory that has already been deallocated, creating opportunities for memory corruption that attackers can leverage for malicious purposes.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability leverages the inherent weaknesses in Adobe's memory management within the JavaScript interpreter component of Acrobat Reader. When processing malicious PDF documents containing crafted JavaScript code, the annotation-related API functions fail to properly validate memory references after object deallocation. This allows attackers to overwrite freed memory with malicious payloads, potentially redirecting execution flow to arbitrary code. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-416, which specifically addresses use after free conditions in software implementations. Attackers can construct malicious PDF files that, when opened in vulnerable versions of Acrobat Reader, trigger the memory corruption during annotation processing. The exploitation requires no user interaction beyond opening the malicious document, making it particularly dangerous in targeted attack scenarios. The JavaScript engine's annotation API provides extensive functionality for manipulating document annotations, but this feature set becomes a vector for memory corruption when proper bounds checking and memory validation are absent.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-3047 extends far beyond simple document viewing vulnerabilities, as it represents a significant attack surface for adversaries seeking to compromise systems through document-based attacks. Organizations relying on Acrobat Reader for document processing become vulnerable to remote code execution attacks that could result in complete system compromise, data exfiltration, or lateral movement within networks. The vulnerability's presence in multiple version ranges means that even organizations with updated software may still be at risk if they haven't patched all affected versions. This creates a complex security management challenge where administrators must ensure comprehensive patching across all Acrobat Reader installations. The attack vector is particularly concerning in enterprise environments where users regularly open PDF documents from external sources, making this vulnerability a prime target for spear-phishing campaigns and targeted attacks. The potential for privilege escalation exists when the application runs with elevated privileges, and the arbitrary code execution capability provides attackers with full control over the affected system. This vulnerability directly maps to ATT&CK technique T1203, which describes exploitation of software vulnerabilities for privilege escalation and system compromise.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-3047 require immediate patching of all affected versions of Adobe Acrobat Reader to prevent exploitation. Adobe released patches addressing this vulnerability in subsequent updates, and organizations should prioritize deployment of these security fixes across all systems. Network-based defenses such as PDF sandboxing, content filtering, and restricted access to potentially malicious documents can provide additional layers of protection while patches are deployed. Security monitoring should focus on detecting unusual PDF processing activities and potential exploitation attempts through network traffic analysis. Organizations should implement strict document handling policies that restrict opening of PDF files from untrusted sources, particularly in high-risk environments. Regular security assessments should verify that all Acrobat Reader installations are updated to patched versions, and automated patch management systems should be configured to detect and remediate vulnerable installations. System hardening measures including disabling unnecessary JavaScript functionality and restricting Acrobat Reader privileges can reduce the attack surface. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of maintaining up-to-date software security patches and implementing comprehensive vulnerability management programs that address both known and emerging threats in document processing applications.