CVE-2017-3115 in Acrobat Reader
Summary
by MITRE
Adobe Acrobat Reader 2017.009.20058 and earlier, 2017.008.30051 and earlier, 2015.006.30306 and earlier, and 11.0.20 and earlier has an information disclosure vulnerability when handling links in a PDF document.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/08/2021
Adobe Acrobat Reader contains an information disclosure vulnerability that arises from improper handling of links within PDF documents. This vulnerability affects multiple versions of the software including the 2017, 2015, and 11.0.x series, specifically those with build numbers below the mentioned thresholds. The flaw occurs when the application processes external links or URI references embedded in PDF files, creating an avenue for unauthorized data exposure.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization of link parameters within the PDF parsing engine. When a malicious PDF document contains specially crafted links, the reader application fails to properly isolate or restrict access to system resources that could be inadvertently exposed through the link handling mechanism. This information disclosure occurs through the improper processing of URI schemes, file paths, or network references that are embedded within the PDF document structure. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-200, which deals with information exposure, and represents a significant security risk as it allows attackers to potentially access sensitive system information that should remain protected.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it can serve as a precursor to more sophisticated attacks within the attack chain defined by the MITRE ATT&CK framework. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability could gain insights into the victim's system configuration, file system structure, or network topology that would otherwise remain hidden. This information can then be leveraged to conduct targeted attacks against specific system components or to plan more advanced exploitation techniques. The vulnerability particularly affects enterprise environments where Acrobat Reader is widely deployed, as it can provide attackers with systematic access to internal system details through seemingly benign PDF documents.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate software updates to the latest versions of Adobe Acrobat Reader, as Adobe has released patches addressing this specific issue. Organizations should implement comprehensive patch management procedures to ensure all instances of the affected software are updated promptly. Additionally, implementing network-based controls such as web proxies or content filtering systems can help prevent users from accessing potentially malicious PDF documents. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input validation in document processing applications and highlights the need for security-conscious development practices. Organizations should also consider implementing user awareness training to reduce the risk of users opening suspicious PDF documents that may contain malicious links designed to exploit this and similar vulnerabilities.