CVE-2017-7698 : Security Advisory and Response

A vulnerability known as Use After Free has been discovered in the pdf2swf component of swftools versions 0.9.2 and earlier, allowing attackers to execute arbitrary code remotely by exploiting a malformed PDF document.

Understanding CVE-2017-7698

This CVE involves a Use After Free vulnerability in swftools that can lead to remote code execution.

What is CVE-2017-7698?

The Use After Free vulnerability in the pdf2swf component of swftools versions 0.9.2 and earlier allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code through a malformed PDF document, potentially due to an error in Gfx.cc in Xpdf 3.02.

The Impact of CVE-2017-7698

This vulnerability can be exploited by attackers to remotely execute arbitrary code, posing a significant security risk to systems using the affected versions of swftools.

Technical Details of CVE-2017-7698

This section provides detailed technical information about the vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

The Use After Free vulnerability in swftools enables remote attackers to execute arbitrary code by exploiting a malformed PDF document, possibly due to an error in Gfx.cc in Xpdf 3.02.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: swftools
Vendor: N/A
Versions affected: 0.9.2 and earlier

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by crafting a specially designed PDF document to trigger the Use After Free condition in the pdf2swf component of swftools.

Mitigation and Prevention

Protecting systems from CVE-2017-7698 requires immediate actions and long-term security practices.

Immediate Steps to Take

Update swftools to a non-vulnerable version if available.
Implement network security measures to prevent malicious PDF documents from reaching systems.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update software and apply security patches promptly.
Conduct security assessments and audits to identify and mitigate vulnerabilities.

Patching and Updates

Check for patches or updates released by the software vendor to address the Use After Free vulnerability in swftools.