CVE-2023-28428 : Security Advisory and Response

This CVE record highlights a vulnerability in the PDFio library, where a denial of service issue can occur when opening a corrupt PDF file, impacting versions 1.1.0 and prior.

Understanding CVE-2023-28428

CVE-2023-28428 addresses a vulnerability in the PDFio library, specifically in its parser, which can be exploited through crafted PDF files to cause the program to run at 100% utilization without termination.

What is CVE-2023-28428?

CVE-2023-28428 is a denial of service vulnerability within the PDFio C library, allowing malicious PDF files to trigger excessive resource consumption without the ability to stop the program.

The Impact of CVE-2023-28428

The impact of CVE-2023-28428 is considered medium severity, with a base score of 6.2. While confidentiality and integrity impacts are none, the availability impact is high due to the denial of service potential.

Technical Details of CVE-2023-28428

The vulnerability is cataloged under CWE-770, indicating an allocation of resources without limits or throttling. The CVSS v3.1 score details a low attack complexity, local attack vector, and no required privileges for exploitation.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability in PDFio versions <= 1.1.0 allows crafted PDF files to overload system resources, leading to a denial of service condition.

Affected Systems and Versions

The PDFio library versions 1.1.0 and prior are affected by this vulnerability, emphasizing the need for users to update to version 1.1.1, which includes a patch for this specific issue.

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers can exploit CVE-2023-28428 by crafting malicious PDF files that trigger resource exhaustion within the PDFio parser, causing the program to consume all available resources without termination.

Mitigation and Prevention

To address CVE-2023-28428, immediate steps should be taken to mitigate the risk of exploitation and ensure the long-term security of systems using the PDFio library.

Immediate Steps to Take

Users are advised to update their PDFio library to version 1.1.1, which contains the necessary patch to prevent the denial of service vulnerability from being exploited.

Long-Term Security Practices

Implementing secure coding practices, continuous monitoring for vulnerabilities, and timely updates to software libraries can enhance long-term security and mitigate risks associated with potential vulnerabilities like CVE-2023-28428.

Patching and Updates

Regularly checking for security advisories and applying patches promptly is crucial in maintaining the integrity and security of software libraries to prevent exploitation of known vulnerabilities.