CVE-2021-31811 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

A carefully crafted PDF file can trigger an OutOfMemory-Exception in Apache PDFBox version 2.0.23 and earlier. Upgrade to version 2.0.24 to stay secure.

Understanding CVE-2021-31811

This CVE relates to Apache PDFBox, where a maliciously crafted PDF file can cause an OutOfMemory-Exception during file loading.

What is CVE-2021-31811?

Apache PDFBox versions 2.0.23 and prior 2.0.x versions are vulnerable to an OutOfMemory-Exception triggered by a carefully crafted PDF file.

The Impact of CVE-2021-31811

This vulnerability allows attackers to exploit the application by causing it to crash or leading to denial of service attacks by consuming excessive resources.

Technical Details of CVE-2021-31811

CVE-2021-31811 represents a Memory Allocation vulnerability with excessive size values (CWE-789).

Vulnerability Description

A specially designed PDF file can exhaust memory resources upon loading, potentially leading to system crashes or freezes.

Affected Systems and Versions

Apache PDFBox versions 2.0.23 and earlier 2.0.x releases are impacted by this vulnerability.

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers can exploit this flaw by tricking users into opening a malicious PDF file, leading to memory exhaustion.

Mitigation and Prevention

It is crucial to take immediate steps to secure systems against CVE-2021-31811.

Immediate Steps to Take

Upgrade Apache PDFBox to version 2.0.24 to patch the vulnerability and prevent exploitation.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update software and keep abreast of security alerts and patches to mitigate future vulnerabilities.

Patching and Updates

Stay informed about security updates and promptly apply patches to protect against known vulnerabilities.