CVE-2018-18651 Explained : Impact and Mitigation
Learn about CVE-2018-18651, a vulnerability in Xpdf 4.00 that allows attackers to initiate a denial of service attack by exploiting the AcroForm.cc file. Find out how to mitigate the risk and prevent system hangs.
A vulnerability was identified in Xpdf 4.00 that could lead to a denial of service attack due to a large loop in the AcroForm.cc file.
Understanding CVE-2018-18651
What is CVE-2018-18651?
This vulnerability in Xpdf 4.00 allows attackers to trigger a denial of service attack by exploiting the catalog->getNumPages() function in the AcroForm.cc file.
The Impact of CVE-2018-18651
The vulnerability could result in a system hang when processing a specific PDF file, caused by an excessively high value following the /Count field in the file.
Technical Details of CVE-2018-18651
Vulnerability Description
The issue in Xpdf 4.00 allows attackers to cause a denial of service by creating a large loop, leading to a system hang.
Affected Systems and Versions
- Product: Xpdf 4.00
- Version: Not applicable
Exploitation Mechanism
Attackers can exploit the catalog->getNumPages() function in the AcroForm.cc file using a specific PDF file to trigger the denial of service attack.
Mitigation and Prevention
Immediate Steps to Take
- Avoid opening PDF files from untrusted or unknown sources.
- Consider using alternative PDF readers until a patch is available.
Long-Term Security Practices
- Keep software and applications up to date to prevent vulnerabilities.
- Implement network security measures to detect and block malicious PDF files.
Patching and Updates
Apply patches or updates provided by the software vendor to address the vulnerability.