PDF-XChange Editor EMF File Parsing Untrusted Pointer Dereference Remote Code Execution Vulnerability

March 31st, 2023
ZDI-23-354 ZDI-CAN-18766

CVE ID

CVE-2023-27342

CVSS Score

7.8 AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

Affected Vendors

PDF-XChange

Affected Products

PDF-XChange Editor

Vulnerability Details

This vulnerability allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code on affected installations of PDF-XChange Editor. User interaction is required to exploit this vulnerability in that the target must visit a malicious page or open a malicious file.

The specific flaw exists within the parsing of EMF files. The issue results from the lack of proper validation of a user-supplied value prior to dereferencing it as a pointer. An attacker can leverage this vulnerability to execute code in the context of the current process.

Additional Details

PDF-XChange has issued an update to correct this vulnerability. More details can be found at:
https://www.tracker-software.com/product/pdf-xchange-editor/history

Disclosure Timeline

  • 2022-09-28 - Vulnerability reported to vendor
  • 2023-03-31 - Coordinated public release of advisory

Credit

Rocco Calvi (@TecR0c) with TecSecurity

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