CVE-2020-35376 Explained : Impact and Mitigation
Learn about CVE-2020-35376, a vulnerability in Xpdf 4.02 that allows stack consumption due to an incorrect subroutine reference in a Type 1C font charstring. Find out the impact, affected systems, exploitation mechanism, and mitigation steps.
Xpdf 4.02 allows stack consumption due to an incorrect subroutine reference in a Type 1C font charstring, specifically related to the FoFiType1C::getOp() function.
Understanding CVE-2020-35376
Xpdf 4.02 is vulnerable to a stack consumption issue that can be exploited through a Type 1C font charstring.
What is CVE-2020-35376?
The vulnerability in Xpdf 4.02 arises from an incorrect subroutine reference within the FoFiType1C::getOp() function.
The Impact of CVE-2020-35376
This vulnerability could allow an attacker to execute arbitrary code or cause a denial of service by exploiting the stack consumption issue.
Technical Details of CVE-2020-35376
Xpdf 4.02 is susceptible to a stack consumption vulnerability due to an incorrect subroutine reference.
Vulnerability Description
The vulnerability is caused by an incorrect subroutine reference in a Type 1C font charstring within the FoFiType1C::getOp() function.
Affected Systems and Versions
- Product: Xpdf 4.02
- Version: Not applicable
Exploitation Mechanism
The vulnerability can be exploited by crafting a malicious Type 1C font charstring to trigger the incorrect subroutine reference.
Mitigation and Prevention
To address CVE-2020-35376, follow these steps:
Immediate Steps to Take
- Update Xpdf to a patched version that addresses the stack consumption issue.
- Avoid opening untrusted PDF files to mitigate the risk of exploitation.
Long-Term Security Practices
- Regularly update software and apply security patches to prevent vulnerabilities.
- Implement proper input validation to mitigate the risk of stack consumption vulnerabilities.
Patching and Updates
Ensure that Xpdf is regularly updated to the latest version to patch known vulnerabilities.