CVE-2017-7378 : Security Advisory and Response

A crafted PDF document exploiting the PoDoFo::PdfPainter::ExpandTabs function in PoDoFo 0.9.5 can lead to a denial of service and application crash due to a heap-based buffer over-read.

Understanding CVE-2017-7378

This CVE involves a vulnerability in PoDoFo 0.9.5 that allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service through a crafted PDF document.

What is CVE-2017-7378?

The vulnerability in PoDoFo 0.9.5 can be exploited by a specially crafted PDF document to trigger a heap-based buffer over-read, resulting in a denial of service and potential application crash.

The Impact of CVE-2017-7378

The vulnerability can be exploited remotely by attackers to disrupt services and potentially crash applications by causing a heap-based buffer over-read.

Technical Details of CVE-2017-7378

This section provides more technical insights into the vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

The PoDoFo::PdfPainter::ExpandTabs function in PdfPainter.cpp in PoDoFo 0.9.5 is susceptible to exploitation, allowing attackers to trigger a denial of service through a crafted PDF document.

Affected Systems and Versions

Affected Version: PoDoFo 0.9.5
Systems: Any system using PoDoFo 0.9.5

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by creating a malicious PDF document that triggers the PoDoFo::PdfPainter::ExpandTabs function, leading to a heap-based buffer over-read.

Mitigation and Prevention

Protecting systems from CVE-2017-7378 requires immediate actions and long-term security practices.

Immediate Steps to Take

Update PoDoFo to a non-vulnerable version if available.
Avoid opening PDFs from untrusted sources.
Implement network-level protections to filter out potentially malicious PDFs.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update software and libraries to patch known vulnerabilities.
Conduct security assessments and audits to identify and mitigate potential risks.

Patching and Updates

Check for patches or updates from PoDoFo to address the vulnerability.
Apply security updates promptly to prevent exploitation of known vulnerabilities.