[Full-disclosure] iDefense Security Advisory 10.13.09: Adobe Acrobat and Reader U3D File Invalid Array Index Vulnerability

[iDefense Labs <labs-no-reply@xxxxxxxxxxxx>]

iDefense Security Advisory 10.13.09
http://labs.idefense.com/intelligence/vulnerabilities/
Oct 13, 2009

I. BACKGROUND

Adobe Acrobat Reader/Acrobat are programs for viewing and editing
Portable Document Format (PDF) documents. For more information, see the
vendor's site found at the following link.

http://www.adobe.com/products/reader/
http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobatpro/

II. DESCRIPTION

Remote exploitation of an invalid array index vulnerability in Adobe
Systems Inc.'s Reader and Acrobat could allow an attacker to execute
arbitrary code with the privileges of the current user.

The vulnerability occurs when parsing a U3D file embedded inside of a
PDF. U3D is a file format used to represent 3D images.

When parsing a U3D file, the parsing code fails to validate a value from
the file used as index into a list of objects. This results in an
attacker being able to specify an arbitrary value for a function
pointer, which leads to the execution of arbitrary code.

III. ANALYSIS

Exploitation of this vulnerability results in the execution of arbitrary
code with the privileges of the user opening the file. If the Adobe
Reader browser plugin is enabled (this is the default setting), then
this vulnerability can be exploited automatically by simply visiting a
malicious webpage with an embedded PDF. If the browser plugin is
disabled, an attacker needs to convince a user to open a malicious
file.

IV. DETECTION

iDefense confirmed the existence of this vulnerability in Reader and
Acrobat versions 9.1.3 and 8.1.6. Previous versions may also be
affected.

V. WORKAROUND

A possible mitigation is to prevent Adobe Reader/Acrobat from opening
files directly in the browser. If this functionality is disabled, then
the user will have to open the file via the 'Open' button (or save it
and open it later manually) if it is embedded in a webpage.

Additionally, disabling JavaScript in Adobe Reader/Acrobat will make the
vulnerability more difficult to exploit in a reliable fashion.

VI. VENDOR RESPONSE

Adobe has addressed this issue with an update. Further details and
patches can be found at the following URL.

http://www.adobe.com/support/security/bulletins/apsb09-15.html

VII. CVE INFORMATION

The Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures (CVE) project has assigned the
name CVE-2009-2990 to this issue. This is a candidate for inclusion in
the CVE list (http://cve.mitre.org/), which standardizes names for
security problems.

VIII. DISCLOSURE TIMELINE

06/09/2009  Initial vendor notification
06/09/2009  Initial vendor response
10/13/2009  Coordinated Public disclosure

IX. CREDIT

This vulnerability was reported to iDefense by Dionysus Blazakis.

Get paid for vulnerability research
http://labs.idefense.com/methodology/vulnerability/vcp.php

Free tools, research and upcoming events
http://labs.idefense.com/

X. LEGAL NOTICES

Copyright © 2009 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 e-mail customerservice@xxxxxxxxxxxx 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.

_______________________________________________
Full-Disclosure - We believe in it.
Charter: http://lists.grok.org.uk/full-disclosure-charter.html
Hosted and sponsored by Secunia - http://secunia.com/