CVE-2017-16415 : What You Need to Know

A problem has been found in previous versions of Adobe Acrobat and Reader - 2017.012.20098 and earlier, 2017.011.30066 and earlier, 2015.006.30355 and earlier, as well as 11.0.22 and earlier. This problem occurs when a computation writes data beyond its intended buffer. The vulnerability arises due to an out of range pointer offset, which is utilized to access sub-elements within an internal data structure. Exploiting this vulnerability, an attacker could potentially corrupt sensitive data or execute unauthorized code.

Understanding CVE-2017-16415

This CVE identifies a critical vulnerability in Adobe Acrobat and Reader versions.

What is CVE-2017-16415?

The vulnerability in Adobe Acrobat and Reader versions allows attackers to corrupt data or execute unauthorized code by exploiting a buffer overflow issue in the font encodings handling functionality.

The Impact of CVE-2017-16415

The exploitation of this vulnerability could lead to severe consequences, including data corruption and unauthorized code execution.

Technical Details of CVE-2017-16415

This section provides detailed technical information about the CVE.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability is caused by a computation that writes data past the end of the intended buffer, specifically in the font encodings handling functionality.

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 arises from an out-of-bounds write issue, allowing attackers to access sub-elements of an internal data structure.

Mitigation and Prevention

Protecting systems from CVE-2017-16415 requires immediate actions and long-term security practices.

Immediate Steps to Take

Update Adobe Acrobat and Reader to the latest patched versions
Implement security measures to prevent unauthorized access to sensitive data

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update software and apply security patches
Conduct security audits to identify and address vulnerabilities

Patching and Updates

Adobe has released patches to address the vulnerability
Ensure all systems are updated with the latest security fixes