CVE-2017-18183 : Security Advisory and Response
Discover the critical QPDF Writer issue in versions before 7.0.0. Learn about the impact, affected systems, exploitation, and mitigation steps.
QPDF before version 7.0.0 has a critical issue where the QPDFWriter::enqueueObject() function in libqpdf/QPDFWriter.cc contains an infinite loop.
Understanding CVE-2017-18183
What is CVE-2017-18183?
An issue was discovered in QPDF before version 7.0.0, specifically in the QPDFWriter::enqueueObject() function in libqpdf/QPDFWriter.cc, leading to an infinite loop.
The Impact of CVE-2017-18183
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-2017-18183
Vulnerability Description
The QPDFWriter::enqueueObject() function in libqpdf/QPDFWriter.cc in QPDF before 7.0.0 contains an infinite loop, posing a significant security risk.
Affected Systems and Versions
- Product: N/A
- Vendor: N/A
- Versions: All versions before 7.0.0
Exploitation Mechanism
The vulnerability allows an attacker to trigger an infinite loop in the QPDFWriter::enqueueObject() function, potentially leading to a DoS or arbitrary code execution.
Mitigation and Prevention
Immediate Steps to Take
- Update QPDF to version 7.0.0 or later to mitigate the vulnerability.
- Monitor vendor advisories and apply patches promptly.
Long-Term Security Practices
- Regularly update software and libraries to the latest versions.
- Implement code review processes to catch similar issues during development.
Patching and Updates
- Apply patches provided by the vendor promptly to address the vulnerability and enhance system security.