CVE-2017-3012 : Vulnerability Insights and Analysis

Adobe Acrobat Reader versions 11.0.19 and earlier, 15.006.30280 and earlier, 15.023.20070 and earlier have an insecure library loading (DLL hijacking) vulnerability in the OCR plugin.

Understanding CVE-2017-3012

There is a vulnerability in the OCR plugin of Adobe Acrobat Reader versions 11.0.19 and earlier, as well as 15.006.30280 and earlier, and 15.023.20070 and earlier. This vulnerability is related to insecure library loading, also known as DLL hijacking.

What is CVE-2017-3012?

The CVE-2017-3012 vulnerability is an insecure library loading (DLL hijacking) issue found in Adobe Acrobat Reader versions 11.0.19 and earlier, 15.006.30280 and earlier, and 15.023.20070 and earlier.

The Impact of CVE-2017-3012

This vulnerability could allow an attacker to execute arbitrary code by tricking a user into opening a specially crafted PDF file, leading to potential system compromise and unauthorized access to sensitive information.

Technical Details of CVE-2017-3012

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability stems from insecure library loading, enabling DLL hijacking in the OCR plugin of affected Adobe Acrobat Reader versions.

Affected Systems and Versions

Adobe Acrobat Reader 11.0.19 and earlier
Adobe Acrobat Reader 15.006.30280 and earlier
Adobe Acrobat Reader 15.023.20070 and earlier

Exploitation Mechanism

The vulnerability can be exploited by enticing a user to open a malicious PDF file containing specially crafted content that triggers the insecure library loading, leading to arbitrary code execution.

Mitigation and Prevention

Immediate Steps to Take

Update Adobe Acrobat Reader to the latest version to patch the vulnerability.
Be cautious when opening PDF files from untrusted or unknown sources.
Implement security best practices to mitigate the risk of DLL hijacking attacks.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update software and applications to address security vulnerabilities promptly.
Educate users on safe browsing habits and the importance of verifying the authenticity of files before opening them.

Patching and Updates

Ensure that all systems running Adobe Acrobat Reader are regularly updated with the latest security patches to prevent exploitation of known vulnerabilities.