CVE-2017-3055 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 heap overflow vulnerability in JPEG 2000 parsing of the fragment list tag. Successful exploitation could lead to arbitrary code execution.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/01/2024
Adobe Acrobat Reader contains a critical heap overflow vulnerability in its JPEG 2000 image processing functionality that affects multiple version ranges including 11.0.19 and earlier, 15.006.30280 and earlier, and 15.023.20070 and earlier. This vulnerability resides within the fragment list tag parsing mechanism of JPEG 2000 files, where improper bounds checking allows attackers to manipulate memory allocation patterns. The flaw occurs when the application processes malformed JPEG 2000 images that contain specially crafted fragment list data structures, leading to buffer overflows in heap memory regions. This vulnerability directly maps to CWE-121 heap-based buffer overflow, which is classified as a critical weakness in memory safety. The attack vector typically involves tricking users into opening maliciously crafted PDF documents containing compromised JPEG 2000 images through social engineering or drive-by download techniques. When exploited, the heap overflow can overwrite adjacent memory locations, potentially corrupting program execution flow and allowing attackers to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the victim user. This represents a significant threat in enterprise environments where users frequently open PDF documents from untrusted sources. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1203 (Exploitation for Client Execution) and T1068 (Exploitation for Privilege Escalation), as it enables attackers to gain code execution and potentially escalate privileges through local exploitation. The operational impact includes potential data breaches, system compromise, and lateral movement within networks where Acrobat Reader is installed. Organizations should prioritize immediate patching of affected versions, implement strict document validation policies, and consider sandboxing PDF processing to mitigate the risk of exploitation. Security teams should also monitor for indicators of compromise related to malicious PDF files and ensure proper network segmentation to limit the potential impact of successful exploitation attempts.