iDEFENSE Security Advisory 12.13.04: Adobe Reader 6.0 .ETD File Format String Vulnerability

From: customer service mailbox (customerservice_at_idefense.com)
Date: 12/14/04

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To: <bugtraq@securityfocus.com>, <vulnwatch@vulnwatch.org>

    Adobe Reader 6.0 .ETD File Format String Vulnerability

    iDEFENSE Security Advisory 12.13.04
    www.idefense.com/application/poi/display?id=163&type=vulnerabilities
    December 14, 2004

    I. BACKGROUND

    Adobe Acrobat Reader is a program for viewing Portable Document Format
    (PDF) documents. More information is available at the following site:

       http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readermain.html

    II. DESCRIPTION

    Remote exploitation of a format string vulnerability in version 6.0.2
    of Adobe's Reader could allow attackers to execute arbitrary code.

    The problem specifically exists in the parsing of .etd files used in
    eBook transactions. A .etd file containing a format string in the
    'title' or 'baseurl' fields can cause an invalid memory access:

    <title>|%p|%p|%p|%p|%p|%p|%p|%p|%p|%p|%p|%p|%p|%p|%p|%p|</title>
    <baseurl>|%p|%p|%p|%p|%p|%p|%p|%p|%p|%p|%p|%p|%p|%p|%p|%p|</baseurl>

    This may allow for the execution of arbitrary code.

    III. ANALYSIS

    Successful exploitation allows an attacker to execute arbitrary code
    under the privileges of the local user. Remote exploitation is possible
    by sending a specially crafted e-mail and attaching either the
    maliciously crafted PDF document or a link to it.

    IV. DETECTION

    iDEFENSE has confirmed that Adobe Reader version 6.0.2 is vulnerable.
    It is suspected that earlier versions of Adobe Reader 6 are also
    vulnerable. Adobe Acrobat may also be vulnerable.

    V. WORKAROUND

    Deleting the following file will prevent exploitation of this
    vulnerability:

    "C:\Program Files\Adobe\Acrobat 6.0\Reader\plug_ins\eBook.api"

    This will not impact reading .PDF files.

    Removing this file prevents Adobe Reader from handling eBooks. When a
    file handled by this plugin is detected, an error dialog box will
    appear, offering to take the user to Adobe's website for information.

    VI. VENDOR RESPONSE

    This vulnerability is addressed in Adobe Acrobat Reader 6.0.3. Downloads
    for platform specific versions are available at the links shown below:

    Reader/Win:
    http://www.adobe.com/support/downloads/detail.jsp?ftpID=2679

    Reader/Mac:
    http://www.adobe.com/support/downloads/detail.jsp?ftpID=2680

    Acrobat/Win:
    http://www.adobe.com/support/downloads/detail.jsp?ftpID=2677

    Acrobat/Mac:
    http://www.adobe.com/support/downloads/detail.jsp?ftpID=2676

    VII. CVE INFORMATION

    The Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures (CVE) project has assigned the
    names CAN-2004-1153 to these issues. This is a candidate for inclusion
    in the CVE list (http://cve.mitre.org), which standardizes names for
    security problems.

    VIII. DISCLOSURE TIMELINE

    10/13/2004 Initial vendor notification
    10/14/2004 Initial vendor response
    12/14/2004 Coordinated public disclosure

    IX. CREDIT

    This vulnerability was discovered by Greg MacManus, iDEFENSE Labs.

    Get paid for vulnerability research
    http://www.idefense.com/poi/teams/vcp.jsp

    X. LEGAL NOTICES

    Copyright (c) 2004 iDEFENSE, Inc.

    Permission is granted for the redistribution of this alert
    electronically. It may not be edited in any way without the express
    written consent of iDEFENSE. If you wish to reprint the whole or any
    part of this alert in any other medium other than electronically, please
    email customerservice@idefense.com for permission.

    Disclaimer: The information in the advisory is believed to be accurate
    at the time of publishing based on currently available information. Use
    of the information constitutes acceptance for use in an AS IS condition.
    There are no warranties with regard to this information. Neither the
    author nor the publisher accepts any liability for any direct, indirect,
    or consequential loss or damage arising from use of, or reliance on,
    this information.

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