CVE-2017-16371 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

Adobe Acrobat and Reader versions 2017.012.20098 and earlier, 2017.011.30066 and earlier, 2015.006.30355 and earlier, and 11.0.22 and earlier are affected by an untrusted pointer dereference vulnerability in the JavaScript engine.

Understanding CVE-2017-16371

This CVE identifies a critical security issue in Adobe Acrobat and Reader that could lead to unauthorized access to sensitive information.

What is CVE-2017-16371?

This vulnerability arises from an untrusted pointer dereference in the JavaScript engine, allowing attackers to manipulate input data to access memory locations outside the expected process address range.

The Impact of CVE-2017-16371

Exploitation of this vulnerability could result in unauthorized access to sensitive information stored on the affected systems, posing a significant security risk.

Technical Details of CVE-2017-16371

Adobe Acrobat and Reader versions 2017.012.20098 and earlier, 2017.011.30066 and earlier, 2015.006.30355 and earlier, and 11.0.22 and earlier are susceptible to this vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

The issue occurs due to an untrusted pointer dereference in the JavaScript engine, allowing attackers to read data from memory locations beyond the expected process address range.

Affected Systems and Versions

Adobe Acrobat Reader 2017.012.20098 and earlier versions
Adobe Acrobat Reader 2017.011.30066 and earlier versions
Adobe Acrobat Reader 2015.006.30355 and earlier versions
Adobe Acrobat Reader 11.0.22 and earlier versions

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by manipulating input data to generate pointers that reference memory locations outside the intended process address space, potentially leading to unauthorized data access.

Mitigation and Prevention

It is crucial to take immediate steps to address and prevent exploitation of CVE-2017-16371.

Immediate Steps to Take

Update Adobe Acrobat and Reader to the latest patched versions.
Implement security best practices to mitigate the risk of unauthorized access.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly monitor for security updates and apply patches promptly.
Conduct security assessments to identify and address vulnerabilities proactively.

Patching and Updates

Adobe has released security updates to address CVE-2017-16371. Ensure all affected systems are updated to the latest patched versions to mitigate the risk of exploitation.