CVE-2017-11271 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

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 memory corruption vulnerability in the image conversion engine.

Understanding CVE-2017-11271

A memory corruption vulnerability in 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.

What is CVE-2017-11271?

This vulnerability occurs in the image conversion engine while processing Enhanced Metafile Format (EMF) data associated with the transfer of pixel blocks. Successful exploitation could lead to the execution of arbitrary code.

The Impact of CVE-2017-11271

If exploited, this vulnerability could allow an attacker to execute arbitrary code on the affected system, potentially leading to unauthorized access, data theft, or system compromise.

Technical Details of CVE-2017-11271

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 susceptible to this memory corruption vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability lies in the image conversion engine of Adobe Acrobat Reader, specifically when processing EMF data related to the transfer of pixel blocks.

Affected Systems and Versions

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

Exploitation Mechanism

The vulnerability can be exploited by an attacker sending malicious EMF data to the application, triggering the memory corruption and potentially executing arbitrary code.

Mitigation and Prevention

It is crucial to take immediate steps to address and prevent the exploitation of CVE-2017-11271.

Immediate Steps to Take

Update Adobe Acrobat Reader to the latest version to patch the vulnerability.
Exercise caution when opening files from untrusted sources.
Implement security best practices to mitigate the risk of exploitation.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update software and applications to ensure the latest security patches are in place.
Educate users on safe browsing habits and the importance of software updates.

Patching and Updates

Adobe has released patches to address this vulnerability. Ensure that all instances of Adobe Acrobat Reader are updated to the latest version to mitigate the risk of exploitation.