CVE-2017-11220 : What You Need to Know

Adobe Acrobat Reader versions 2017.009.20058 and earlier, 2017.008.30051 and earlier, 2015.006.30306 and earlier, and 11.0.20 and earlier are affected by a heap overflow vulnerability that could allow for arbitrary code execution.

Understanding CVE-2017-11220

This CVE details a critical vulnerability in Adobe Acrobat Reader that could be exploited to execute arbitrary code.

What is CVE-2017-11220?

A heap overflow vulnerability exists in the internal data structure of Adobe Acrobat Reader versions specified. Successful exploitation could lead to the execution of arbitrary code.

The Impact of CVE-2017-11220

If exploited, this vulnerability could allow an attacker to execute arbitrary code on the affected system, potentially leading to a complete compromise of the system.

Technical Details of CVE-2017-11220

Adobe Acrobat Reader is susceptible to a heap overflow vulnerability that poses a significant security risk.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability allows attackers to overflow the heap memory, potentially leading to the execution of malicious code.

Affected Systems and Versions

Adobe Acrobat Reader 2017.009.20058 and earlier
Adobe Acrobat Reader 2017.008.30051 and earlier
Adobe Acrobat Reader 2015.006.30306 and earlier
Adobe Acrobat Reader 11.0.20 and earlier

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by crafting a malicious PDF file and enticing a user to open it, triggering the heap overflow.

Mitigation and Prevention

To safeguard systems from CVE-2017-11220, immediate actions and long-term security practices are crucial.

Immediate Steps to Take

Update Adobe Acrobat Reader to the latest version to patch the vulnerability.
Exercise caution when opening PDF files from untrusted sources.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update software and applications to mitigate known vulnerabilities.
Implement network segmentation to limit the impact of potential attacks.

Patching and Updates

Adobe has released security updates to address this vulnerability. Ensure all systems running affected versions are promptly patched.