CVE-2021-23165 : What You Need to Know

A heap buffer overflow vulnerability was discovered in htmldoc before v1.9.12, specifically in the function pspdf_prepare_outpages() in ps-pdf.cxx. This could potentially allow an attacker to execute arbitrary code and cause a denial of service.

Understanding CVE-2021-23165

This section delves into the details of CVE-2021-23165.

What is CVE-2021-23165?

The CVE-2021-23165 vulnerability is classified as a CWE-122 (Heap-based Buffer Overflow) issue, impacting htmldoc versions before v1.9.12.

The Impact of CVE-2021-23165

The vulnerability could be exploited by an attacker to trigger a heap buffer overflow, leading to the execution of malicious code and potential denial of service.

Technical Details of CVE-2021-23165

Here are the technical specifics of CVE-2021-23165.

Vulnerability Description

A heap buffer overflow occurs in the pspdf_prepare_outpages() function in ps-pdf.cxx of htmldoc before v1.9.12.

Affected Systems and Versions

The affected product is htmldoc from an unspecified vendor, with versions before v1.9.12 being vulnerable to this exploit.

Exploitation Mechanism

The vulnerability stems from improper handling of heap buffers in htmldoc, potentially allowing an attacker to craft malicious inputs to trigger the overflow.

Mitigation and Prevention

Discover the measures to mitigate and prevent CVE-2021-23165.

Immediate Steps to Take

Users are advised to update htmldoc to version 1.9.12 or newer to patch the vulnerability and prevent exploitation.

Long-Term Security Practices

Implementing secure coding practices and regular security assessments can help in preventing similar vulnerabilities in the future.

Patching and Updates

Stay proactive with software updates and security patches to ensure that known vulnerabilities are promptly addressed and mitigated.