CVE-2018-7453 : Security Advisory and Response

CVE-2018-7453 was published on February 24, 2018, and affects xpdf version 4.00. The vulnerability allows attackers to launch a denial of service attack through infinite recursion in the AcroForm::scanField function.

Understanding CVE-2018-7453

This CVE entry highlights a critical vulnerability in xpdf version 4.00 that can be exploited to execute a denial of service attack.

What is CVE-2018-7453?

The absence of loop checking in the AcroForm::scanField function in AcroForm.cc of xpdf version 4.00 enables attackers to trigger a denial of service attack through infinite recursion. This vulnerability can be exploited by a specific PDF file, as demonstrated by the pdftohtml tool.

The Impact of CVE-2018-7453

The vulnerability in xpdf version 4.00 poses a significant risk as attackers can exploit it to execute denial of service attacks, potentially disrupting services and causing system unavailability.

Technical Details of CVE-2018-7453

CVE-2018-7453 involves critical technical details that need to be understood to mitigate the risk effectively.

Vulnerability Description

Infinite recursion in AcroForm::scanField in AcroForm.cc in xpdf 4.00 allows attackers to launch a denial of service attack via a specific PDF file due to the lack of loop checking, as demonstrated by pdftohtml.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: xpdf
Vendor: N/A
Version: 4.00

Exploitation Mechanism

The vulnerability can be exploited by crafting a specific PDF file that triggers infinite recursion in the AcroForm::scanField function, leading to a denial of service condition.

Mitigation and Prevention

To address CVE-2018-7453 and enhance system security, certain mitigation strategies and preventive measures can be implemented.

Immediate Steps to Take

Update xpdf to a patched version that addresses the infinite recursion vulnerability.
Exercise caution when opening PDF files from untrusted sources to prevent exploitation.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update software and applications to patch known vulnerabilities.
Implement network security measures to detect and prevent denial of service attacks.

Patching and Updates

Stay informed about security updates for xpdf and promptly apply patches to mitigate the risk of exploitation.