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Security Best Practice: Protect Yourself against Multiple PDF Containing Embedded JavaScript Vulnerabilities

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Check Point Reference: SBP-2008-02
Date Published:
Severity:
Source: ZDI-08-004
Industry Reference(s): CVE-2008-0726
Protection Provided by: VPN-1
  • NGX R65
  • NGX R62
  • NGX R61
  • NGX R60
VSX
  • NGX R65
InterSpect
  • NGX
Who is Vulnerable?
Reader 8.1.1 and earlier versions
Acrobat 8.1.1 and earlier versions
Vulnerability Description
Remote code execution vulnerabilities have been reported in Adobe Acrobat when handling PDF files that contain embedded JavaScript. A remote attacker can exploit these vulnerabilities to execute arbitrary code on an affected system via a specially crafted PDF file. Portable Document Format (PDF) is an open file format created by Adobe Systems. It is used for representing two-dimensional documents in a device and resolution independent fixed-layout document format. Successful exploitation allows execution of arbitrary code on a vulnerable system.
Vulnerability Details
The vulnerabilities are due to errors in Adobe Acrobat that fails to properly process embedded JavaScript code within PDF documents. A remote attacker could trigger this flaw via a specially crafted PDF file. Successful exploitation allows execution of arbitrary code once a malicious PDF file is loaded on a vulnerable system.

Protection Overview
By enabling this protection, SmartDefense will detect and block any attempt to transfer over HTTP PDF files that contain embedded JavaScript.

In order for the protection to be activated, update your VPN-1/InterSpect product to the latest SmartDefense update. For information on how to update SmartDefense, go to SBP-2006-05, Protection tab and select the version of your choice.

To configure the defense, select your product from the list below and follow the related protection steps.

VPN-1 NGX R65 & R62

How Can I Protect My Network?
1. In the SmartDefense tab, click Application Intelligence > Content Protection.
2. Select the following:

Block PDF Containing Embedded JavaScript Files

3. In the configuration pane, under Settings > Mode, check Active.
4. Install policy on all modules.

How Do I Know if My Network is Under Attack?
SmartView Tracker will log the following entries:

Attack Name: Content Protection Violation
Attack Information: PDF containing embedded JavaScript file detected

VPN-1 NGX R61 & R60

How Can I Protect My Network?
1. In the SmartDefense tree, click Application Intelligence > Content Protection.
2. Select the following:

Block PDF Containing Embedded JavaScript Files

3. Install policy on all modules.

How Do I Know if My Network is Under Attack?
SmartView Tracker will log the following entries:

Attack Name: Content Protection Violation
Attack Information: PDF containing embedded JavaScript file detected

InterSpect NGX

How Can I Protect My Network?
1. In the left pane, select Profiles > Default Protection and select the SmartDefense page of the profile.
2. In the SmartDefense tree, click Application Intelligence > Content Protection.
3. Select the following protection:

Block PDF Containing Embedded JavaScript Files

4. Install security policy on all modules.

How Do I Know if My Network is Under Attack?
SmartView Tracker will log the following entries:

Attack Name: Content Protection Violation
Attack Information: PDF containing embedded JavaScript file detected