CVE-2021-3508 : Security Advisory and Response
Discover the impact of CVE-2021-3508 affecting PDFResurrect version 0.22b. Learn about the technical details, affected systems, exploitation mechanism, and mitigation strategies.
PDFResurrect version 0.22b is affected by a vulnerability identified as CVE-2021-3508. An infinite loop in get_xref_linear_skipped() in pdf.c can be exploited via a crafted PDF file.
Understanding CVE-2021-3508
This section will provide insights into the nature and impact of the CVE-2021-3508 vulnerability.
What is CVE-2021-3508?
The CVE-2021-3508 vulnerability is a flaw discovered in PDFResurrect version 0.22b that allows an attacker to trigger an infinite loop through a specifically crafted PDF file.
The Impact of CVE-2021-3508
The vulnerability in PDFResurrect could be exploited by an attacker to cause a denial of service (DoS) condition by consuming excessive resources or crashing the application.
Technical Details of CVE-2021-3508
In this section, we will delve into the technical aspects of CVE-2021-3508 to better understand how it affects systems and applications.
Vulnerability Description
The vulnerability arises due to an infinite loop in the get_xref_linear_skipped() function within the pdf.c file of PDFResurrect version 0.22b.
Affected Systems and Versions
PDFResurrect version 0.22b is confirmed to be affected by this vulnerability, posing a risk to systems utilizing this particular version.
Exploitation Mechanism
By exploiting the flaw in get_xref_linear_skipped() function with a specially crafted PDF file, an attacker can cause the application to enter an infinite loop, potentially leading to a DoS scenario.
Mitigation and Prevention
Here, we outline the necessary steps to mitigate the risks associated with CVE-2021-3508 and prevent potential exploitation.
Immediate Steps to Take
It is recommended to update PDFResurrect to a non-vulnerable version and refrain from opening PDF files from untrusted sources to mitigate the risk of exploitation.
Long-Term Security Practices
Developing a robust patch management strategy and regularly updating software can help in preventing similar vulnerabilities from being exploited.
Patching and Updates
Users are advised to apply patches released by the PDFResurrect project to address the vulnerability and enhance the overall security posture of the application.