CVE-2017-16403 : Security Advisory and Response
Discover the critical security flaw in Adobe Acrobat and Reader versions 2017.012.20098 and earlier. Learn about the out-of-bounds read vulnerability and its potential impact on sensitive data exposure.
A vulnerability has been discovered in 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. This security flaw arises from a calculation that reads data beyond the intended boundary of the target buffer. The vulnerability is caused by an invalid pointer offset that is utilized when accessing internal data structure fields. Exploitation of this vulnerability can potentially lead to the exposure of sensitive data.
Understanding CVE-2017-16403
This CVE entry pertains to a critical security vulnerability found in Adobe Acrobat and Reader software.
What is CVE-2017-16403?
The vulnerability in 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 is due to a calculation error that allows reading data beyond the intended buffer boundary.
The Impact of CVE-2017-16403
Exploitation of this vulnerability can result in the exposure of sensitive data due to an invalid pointer offset when accessing internal data structure fields.
Technical Details of CVE-2017-16403
This section provides detailed technical information about the vulnerability.
Vulnerability Description
The vulnerability is an out-of-bounds read issue that occurs during the processing of Enhanced Metafile Format Plus (EMF+) data in Adobe Acrobat and Reader.
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
The vulnerability is exploited by utilizing an invalid pointer offset when accessing internal data structure fields, leading to potential data exposure.
Mitigation and Prevention
Protecting systems from CVE-2017-16403 requires immediate actions and long-term security practices.
Immediate Steps to Take
- Apply security patches provided by Adobe promptly.
- Consider implementing additional security measures to mitigate risks.
Long-Term Security Practices
- Regularly update Adobe Acrobat and Reader to the latest versions.
- Conduct security assessments and audits to identify and address vulnerabilities.
Patching and Updates
Regularly check for security updates and patches from Adobe to address CVE-2017-16403.