CVE-2017-3056 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 JavaScript engine that could lead to arbitrary code execution.

Understanding CVE-2017-3056

Adobe Acrobat Reader versions 11.0.19 and earlier, 15.006.30280 and earlier, 15.023.20070 and earlier are affected by a critical memory corruption vulnerability.

What is CVE-2017-3056?

A memory corruption vulnerability exists in the JavaScript engine of Adobe Acrobat Reader versions 11.0.19 and older, 15.006.30280 and older, and 15.023.20070 and older. The flaw is associated with manipulating strings and could allow an attacker to execute arbitrary code.

The Impact of CVE-2017-3056

If successfully exploited, this vulnerability could result in the execution of arbitrary code on the affected system, potentially leading to a complete compromise of the system.

Technical Details of CVE-2017-3056

Adobe Acrobat Reader versions 11.0.19 and earlier, 15.006.30280 and earlier, 15.023.20070 and earlier are susceptible to this memory corruption vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability is located in the JavaScript engine of the affected Adobe Acrobat Reader versions and is specifically related to string manipulation.

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 manipulating strings, allowing an attacker to execute arbitrary code on the targeted system.

Mitigation and Prevention

Immediate Steps to Take:

Update Adobe Acrobat Reader to the latest version available
Consider disabling JavaScript in the application settings if not required

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update software and applications to patch known vulnerabilities
Implement strong security measures such as firewalls and intrusion detection systems

Patching and Updates

Adobe has released security updates to address this vulnerability. It is crucial to apply these patches promptly to mitigate the risk of exploitation.