CVE-2017-3041 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

Adobe Acrobat Reader versions 11.0.19 and earlier, 15.006.30280 and earlier, 15.023.20070 and earlier have a memory corruption vulnerability in the MakeAccessible plugin when parsing font data, potentially leading to arbitrary code execution.

Understanding CVE-2017-3041

This CVE involves a critical vulnerability in Adobe Acrobat Reader versions that could allow attackers to execute arbitrary code.

What is CVE-2017-3041?

The vulnerability in Adobe Acrobat Reader versions 11.0.19 and earlier, 15.006.30280 and earlier, 15.023.20070 and earlier lies in the MakeAccessible plugin's font data parsing, enabling memory corruption exploitation.

The Impact of CVE-2017-3041

If successfully exploited, this vulnerability could result in the execution of arbitrary code, posing a significant security risk to affected systems.

Technical Details of CVE-2017-3041

This section provides detailed technical insights into the vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability in Adobe Acrobat Reader versions allows attackers to corrupt memory by manipulating font data parsing in the MakeAccessible plugin, potentially leading to arbitrary code execution.

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

Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by crafting malicious font data, triggering memory corruption, and potentially executing arbitrary code on the targeted system.

Mitigation and Prevention

To safeguard systems from CVE-2017-3041, follow these mitigation strategies:

Immediate Steps to Take

Update Adobe Acrobat Reader to the latest version
Exercise caution when opening PDF files from untrusted sources
Implement security best practices to reduce the attack surface

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update software and apply security patches
Conduct security awareness training to educate users on safe computing practices

Patching and Updates

Adobe has released security updates to address this vulnerability. Ensure timely installation of these patches to mitigate the risk of exploitation.