CVE-2017-15565 : What You Need to Know
Learn about CVE-2017-15565 affecting Poppler 0.59.0, allowing attackers to trigger a NULL Pointer Dereference via a crafted PDF file. Find mitigation steps and preventive measures here.
Poppler 0.59.0 is vulnerable to a NULL Pointer Dereference in the GfxImageColorMap::getGrayLine() function when processing a specially crafted PDF file.
Understanding CVE-2017-15565
What is CVE-2017-15565?
In Poppler 0.59.0, a vulnerability exists in the GfxImageColorMap::getGrayLine() function in GfxState.cc due to a NULL Pointer Dereference triggered by a maliciously crafted PDF document.
The Impact of CVE-2017-15565
This vulnerability could be exploited by an attacker to cause a denial of service (DoS) condition or potentially execute arbitrary code on the affected system.
Technical Details of CVE-2017-15565
Vulnerability Description
The GfxImageColorMap::getGrayLine() function in GfxState.cc of Poppler 0.59.0 is susceptible to a NULL Pointer Dereference when processing a specially crafted PDF file.
Affected Systems and Versions
- Product: Not applicable
- Vendor: Not applicable
- Version: 0.59.0
Exploitation Mechanism
The vulnerability can be exploited by an attacker through the manipulation of a PDF file to trigger the NULL Pointer Dereference in the GfxImageColorMap::getGrayLine() function.
Mitigation and Prevention
Immediate Steps to Take
- Apply the patches provided by the vendor promptly.
- Avoid opening PDF files from untrusted or unknown sources.
- Monitor vendor advisories and security mailing lists for updates.
Long-Term Security Practices
- Regularly update software and apply security patches.
- Implement network segmentation to limit the impact of potential attacks.
- Conduct regular security assessments and audits.
Patching and Updates
It is crucial to update Poppler to a non-vulnerable version, apply security patches, and follow best security practices to mitigate the risk of exploitation.