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CVE-2017-2951 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

Learn about CVE-2017-2951 affecting Adobe Acrobat Reader versions 15.020.20042 and earlier, 15.006.30244 and earlier, 11.0.18 and earlier. Discover the impact, technical details, and mitigation steps.

Adobe Acrobat Reader versions 15.020.20042 and earlier, 15.006.30244 and earlier, 11.0.18 and earlier have a use after free vulnerability in the XFA engine, potentially leading to arbitrary code execution.

Understanding CVE-2017-2951

There is a potential vulnerability in Adobe Acrobat Reader versions 15.020.20042 and older, 15.006.30244 and older, and 11.0.18 and older related to the XFA engine and sub-form functionality.

What is CVE-2017-2951?

The vulnerability in Adobe Acrobat Reader versions 15.020.20042 and earlier, 15.006.30244 and earlier, 11.0.18 and earlier involves a use after free vulnerability in the XFA engine, specifically in the sub-form functionality. If exploited, it could allow attackers to execute arbitrary code on the affected system.

The Impact of CVE-2017-2951

If successfully exploited, CVE-2017-2951 could result in arbitrary code execution on the vulnerable system, potentially leading to unauthorized access, data theft, or system compromise.

Technical Details of CVE-2017-2951

Adobe Acrobat Reader versions 15.020.20042 and earlier, 15.006.30244 and earlier, 11.0.18 and earlier are affected by this vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability is a use after free issue in the XFA engine of Adobe Acrobat Reader, specifically related to sub-form functionality.

Affected Systems and Versions

        Adobe Acrobat Reader 15.020.20042 and earlier
        Adobe Acrobat Reader 15.006.30244 and earlier
        Adobe Acrobat Reader 11.0.18 and earlier

Exploitation Mechanism

The vulnerability can be exploited by an attacker to trigger the use after free condition in the XFA engine, allowing them to execute malicious code on the target system.

Mitigation and Prevention

It is crucial to take immediate steps to mitigate the risks posed by CVE-2017-2951.

Immediate Steps to Take

        Update Adobe Acrobat Reader to the latest version available from the official Adobe website.
        Consider disabling the XFA functionality if not required for business operations.
        Implement security best practices such as restricting access to vulnerable systems.

Long-Term Security Practices

        Regularly update software and applications to patch known vulnerabilities.
        Educate users on safe browsing habits and the importance of software updates.
        Employ network security measures to detect and prevent potential attacks.

Patching and Updates

        Adobe has released security updates to address CVE-2017-2951. Ensure that all affected systems are patched with the latest updates provided by the vendor.

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