CVE-2011-2462
Adobe Reader and Acrobat Universal 3D Memory Corruption Vulnerability
Description
CVE-2011-2462 is a memory corruption vulnerability in the Universal 3D (U3D) component of Adobe Reader and Acrobat that allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code or cause a denial of service. The flaw is triggered when a victim opens a specially crafted PDF document containing malicious U3D data, corrupting memory in a way that enables the attacker to gain control of program execution. CISA has added CVE-2011-2462 to its Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog, confirming active exploitation. With an EPSS score of 91.9% (99th percentile), this vulnerability has an extremely high probability of exploitation and represents a critical threat to organizations using unpatched versions of Adobe Reader or Acrobat.
KEV Information
CVSS Score
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:HOpen in CalculatorAffected Products
| Vendor | Product | Version |
|---|---|---|
| adobe | acrobat | <= 10.1.1 |
| adobe | acrobat reader | <= 10.1.1; >= 9.0, <= 9.4.6 |
Multiple CVSS Assessments
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
References
- http://lists.opensuse.org/opensuse-security-announce/2012-01/msg00019.html(Broken Link)
- http://lists.opensuse.org/opensuse-security-announce/2012-01/msg00020.html(Broken Link)
- http://www.adobe.com/support/security/advisories/apsa11-04.html(Vendor Advisory)
- http://www.adobe.com/support/security/bulletins/apsb11-30.html(Not Applicable)
- http://www.adobe.com/support/security/bulletins/apsb12-01.html(Not Applicable)
- http://www.redhat.com/support/errata/RHSA-2012-0011.html(Broken Link)
- http://www.us-cert.gov/cas/techalerts/TA11-350A.html(Third Party Advisory, US Government Resource)
- https://oval.cisecurity.org/repository/search/definition/oval%3Aorg.mitre.oval%3Adef%3A14562(Broken Link)
- https://github.com/cisagov/vulnrichment/issues/199(Issue Tracking)
- https://www.cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog?field_cve=CVE-2011-2462(US Government Resource)
Weakness Type
CWE-119: Improper Restriction of Operations within the Bounds of a Memory Buffer
CVE-2011-2462 exploits a memory corruption condition in the Universal 3D (U3D) rendering component of Adobe Reader and Acrobat, where the application fails to properly restrict memory operations when processing 3D content embedded in PDF files. This allows crafted U3D data to corrupt adjacent memory and redirect execution to attacker-controlled code.
Learn more: CWE-119 — Improper Restriction of Operations within the Bounds of a Memory Buffer
Impact Analysis
CVE-2011-2462 is remotely exploitable through a crafted PDF document — an attacker needs only to deliver a malicious PDF to a victim via email, web download, or file sharing. No authentication is required, and user interaction is limited to opening the PDF file. Successful exploitation leads to arbitrary code execution with the privileges of the Adobe Reader or Acrobat process, which typically runs with the current user's permissions. This places confidentiality, integrity, and availability at full risk, enabling data theft, malware installation, and persistent system compromise. The EPSS score of 91.9% (99th percentile) indicates near-certain exploitation, and the PDF document format's ubiquity in business communications makes this vulnerability exceptionally dangerous for spear-phishing campaigns.
Exploit Maturity
CISA has confirmed active exploitation of CVE-2011-2462 in the wild by adding it to the Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog on June 8, 2022. The EPSS score of 91.9% places this vulnerability in the 99th percentile, indicating an extremely high probability of exploitation. CVE-2011-2462 was exploited as a zero-day vulnerability in targeted attacks before Adobe released a patch, making it a high-profile threat during its active exploitation period. The PDF-based attack vector is particularly effective for advanced persistent threat campaigns, as PDF documents are routinely exchanged in business environments. No specific ransomware association has been reported.
Remediation
- Apply Adobe security updates immediately: Install the latest security patches for Adobe Reader and Acrobat as directed by the CISA KEV required action to address the U3D memory corruption vulnerability.
- Upgrade to a current version of Adobe Acrobat Reader: Ensure all systems are running a currently supported version of Adobe Acrobat Reader DC with automatic security updates enabled.
- Disable 3D content rendering in Adobe Reader: Configure Adobe Reader preferences to disable the rendering of 3D content in PDF files, which eliminates the U3D attack vector without affecting standard PDF functionality.
- Enable Protected View and sandboxing: Ensure Adobe Reader's Protected Mode (sandbox) and Protected View are enabled to isolate the PDF rendering process and limit the impact of exploitation.
- Deploy email and web gateway PDF filtering: Configure security gateways to scan incoming PDF documents for known exploit signatures and suspicious embedded 3D content, quarantining files that match malicious indicators.
Technical Details
CVE-2011-2462 is a memory corruption vulnerability in the Universal 3D (U3D) component of Adobe Reader and Acrobat. U3D is a 3D graphics format supported within PDF documents, and the vulnerability is triggered when the U3D parser processes maliciously crafted 3D data structures embedded in a PDF file. The corrupted memory operations, classified under CWE-119, allow an attacker to overwrite critical data structures such as function pointers or heap metadata, redirecting program execution to attacker-controlled shellcode. The attack is delivered through a standard PDF document, making it indistinguishable from legitimate files until opened. Since Adobe Reader processes the U3D content automatically upon document opening, no additional user interaction is required beyond opening the PDF. The complexity of the U3D parsing code, combined with the rich feature set of PDF documents, creates numerous opportunities for memory corruption exploitation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is CVE-2011-2462 being actively exploited?
Yes. CISA has confirmed active exploitation by adding CVE-2011-2462 to the Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog. The EPSS score of 91.9% in the 99th percentile indicates near-certain exploitation. This vulnerability was exploited as a zero-day before a patch was available.
What products are affected by CVE-2011-2462?
CVE-2011-2462 affects Adobe Reader and Adobe Acrobat, specifically the Universal 3D (U3D) rendering component. Multiple versions of both products are vulnerable, and users should update to the latest supported version.
How do I fix CVE-2011-2462?
Update Adobe Reader and Acrobat to the latest patched version. Additionally, disable 3D content rendering in Adobe Reader preferences and enable Protected Mode sandboxing to limit the impact of any exploitation attempts.
How severe is CVE-2011-2462?
CVE-2011-2462 is a critically severe vulnerability with an EPSS score in the 99th percentile, enabling remote code execution through malicious PDF documents. The ubiquity of PDF in business communications and the zero-day exploitation history make this vulnerability exceptionally dangerous.
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