CVE-2018-7454 : Exploit Details and Defense Strategies

This CVE-2018-7454 article provides insights into a vulnerability in xpdf 4.00 that could lead to a denial of service attack by exploiting a specific PDF file.

Understanding CVE-2018-7454

This CVE-2018-7454 vulnerability allows attackers to trigger a NULL pointer dereference in XFAForm::scanFields function in XFAForm.cc in xpdf 4.00, resulting in a denial of service.

What is CVE-2018-7454?

Attackers can exploit a specific PDF file using pdftohtml to trigger a NULL pointer dereference in XFAForm::scanFields function in XFAForm.cc in xpdf 4.00, leading to a denial of service.

The Impact of CVE-2018-7454

The vulnerability in xpdf 4.00 could be exploited by attackers to cause a denial of service by triggering a NULL pointer dereference in XFAForm::scanFields function in XFAForm.cc.

Technical Details of CVE-2018-7454

This section provides detailed technical information about CVE-2018-7454.

Vulnerability Description

A NULL pointer dereference in XFAForm::scanFields in XFAForm.cc in xpdf 4.00 allows attackers to launch a denial of service attack via a specific PDF file, as demonstrated by pdftohtml.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: Not applicable
Vendor: Not applicable
Version: Not applicable

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers exploit a specific PDF file using pdftohtml
Trigger a NULL pointer dereference in XFAForm::scanFields function in XFAForm.cc in xpdf 4.00

Mitigation and Prevention

Protect your systems from CVE-2018-7454 with the following steps:

Immediate Steps to Take

Implement file validation mechanisms to detect malicious PDF files
Regularly update xpdf to the latest version

Long-Term Security Practices

Conduct regular security audits and vulnerability assessments
Train employees on safe PDF file handling practices

Patching and Updates

Apply patches and updates provided by xpdf to address the vulnerability