CVE-2022-42398 : Security Advisory and Response

This vulnerability allows remote attackers to disclose sensitive information on affected installations of PDF-XChange Editor. User interaction is required to exploit this vulnerability in that the target must visit a malicious page or open a malicious file. The specific flaw exists within the parsing of PDF files. Crafted data in a PDF file can trigger a read past the end of an allocated buffer. An attacker can leverage this in conjunction with other vulnerabilities to execute arbitrary code in the context of the current process. Was ZDI-CAN-18307.

Understanding CVE-2022-42398

This CVE allows remote attackers to disclose sensitive information by exploiting a flaw in PDF-XChange Editor's handling of PDF files.

What is CVE-2022-42398?

The vulnerability in PDF-XChange Editor permits remote attackers to extract sensitive data. Exploitation requires user interaction by accessing a malicious page or file.

The Impact of CVE-2022-42398

The vulnerability can lead to unauthorized disclosure of information, potentially paving the way for further exploitation by threat actors.

Technical Details of CVE-2022-42398

This section delves into the specifics of the vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

The flaw allows attackers to read past the end of a buffer in PDF-XChange Editor, enabling potential arbitrary code execution.

Affected Systems and Versions

PDF-XChange Editor version 9.4.362.0 is confirmed to be affected by this vulnerability.

Exploitation Mechanism

Remote attackers can exploit this vulnerability by tricking users into accessing malicious content, leading to information disclosure.

Mitigation and Prevention

Discover how to protect systems from CVE-2022-42398.

Immediate Steps to Take

Users are advised to avoid opening suspicious PDF files or visiting untrusted websites to mitigate the risk of exploitation.

Long-Term Security Practices

Implementing robust security measures and educating users on safe browsing practices can help prevent similar vulnerabilities.

Patching and Updates

Keep PDF-XChange Editor up to date with the latest patches and security updates to address known vulnerabilities.