CVE-2017-3123 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 exploitable memory corruption vulnerability in the image conversion engine when processing Enhanced Metafile Format (EMF) data drawing position definition. Successful exploitation could lead to arbitrary code execution.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/08/2021
Adobe Acrobat Reader contains a critical memory corruption vulnerability in its image conversion engine that specifically affects processing of Enhanced Metafile Format EMF data. This vulnerability exists within the software's handling of drawing position definitions in EMF files, creating a potential pathway for remote code execution attacks. The flaw manifests when the application attempts to convert EMF graphics into a format suitable for display, where improper memory management during the conversion process allows attackers to manipulate memory structures. The vulnerability affects multiple versions of Adobe Acrobat Reader including 2017.009.20058 and earlier, 2017.008.30051 and earlier, 2015.006.30306 and earlier, and 11.0.20 and earlier releases, indicating a persistent issue across several major version lines. This memory corruption vulnerability represents a classic buffer overflow condition that can be exploited by crafting malicious EMF files designed to trigger the vulnerable code path. The attack surface is particularly concerning given that PDF files are frequently shared via email attachments and web downloads, making this a prevalent vector for exploitation in enterprise environments. The technical implementation of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-121, which describes stack-based buffer overflow conditions, and potentially CWE-122 for heap-based buffer overflows that may occur during dynamic memory allocation. From an operational perspective, successful exploitation of this vulnerability provides attackers with arbitrary code execution capabilities within the context of the Acrobat Reader application, potentially allowing full system compromise. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to execute malicious payloads directly on target systems without requiring additional privileges, as the exploitation occurs within the legitimate application process. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond individual user systems to enterprise environments where Acrobat Reader is commonly deployed, creating widespread potential for lateral movement and persistent access. Security researchers have identified this vulnerability as particularly dangerous due to its ease of exploitation through simple file attachments and the difficulty of detection during normal operation. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this type of vulnerability under T1059 for command and scripting interpreter and T1068 for exploit for privilege escalation, as the initial compromise often leads to elevated system access. Organizations should prioritize immediate patching of affected versions and implement network segmentation to limit potential exploitation pathways. Additionally, email filtering and web proxy configurations should be enhanced to block suspicious PDF and EMF file types, while endpoint detection systems should be configured to monitor for anomalous behavior patterns associated with memory corruption exploits. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of maintaining up-to-date software patches and implementing robust application whitelisting policies to prevent execution of untrusted code in critical applications like document readers.