CVE-2005-3628 in Xpdf
Summary
by MITRE
Buffer overflow in the JBIG2Bitmap::JBIG2Bitmap function in JBIG2Stream.cc in Xpdf, as used in products such as gpdf, kpdf, pdftohtml, poppler, teTeX, CUPS, libextractor, and others, allows attackers to modify memory and possibly execute arbitrary code via unknown attack vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/07/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2005-3628 represents a critical buffer overflow flaw within the JBIG2Bitmap::JBIG2Bitmap function located in the JBIG2Stream.cc source file of the Xpdf library. This library serves as a foundational component for numerous PDF processing applications across various operating systems and software ecosystems. The flaw manifests when processing JBIG2 encoded images within PDF documents, creating an opportunity for attackers to manipulate memory structures through carefully crafted input data. The affected products include prominent PDF viewers and processing tools such as gpdf, kpdf, pdftohtml, poppler, teTeX, CUPS, and libextractor, indicating the widespread impact of this vulnerability across the PDF processing landscape. The buffer overflow occurs due to inadequate bounds checking during the parsing of JBIG2 image data, allowing attackers to overwrite adjacent memory locations beyond the allocated buffer boundaries.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper memory management practices within the JBIG2 image decoding routine. When the JBIG2Bitmap::JBIG2Bitmap function processes compressed JBIG2 image data, it fails to validate the size parameters of the incoming data structures, particularly concerning the dimensions and memory allocation required for image reconstruction. This deficiency creates a classic buffer overflow condition where attacker-controlled data can overwrite critical memory segments including return addresses, function pointers, and other control structures. The vulnerability operates at the intersection of multiple security domains including software security, memory corruption, and code execution, making it particularly dangerous in environments where PDF processing occurs with elevated privileges. The attack vectors remain unspecified in the original CVE description, which suggests the vulnerability could be exploited through various means including malicious PDF documents, web-based attacks, or file processing scenarios.
The operational impact of CVE-2005-3628 extends far beyond individual application compromise, as the affected Xpdf library serves as a core dependency for numerous software packages across different platforms and use cases. When exploited, this vulnerability can lead to complete system compromise, allowing attackers to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the affected application process. The potential for remote code execution makes this particularly concerning for web-based PDF processing environments, server applications, and desktop software that automatically processes PDF documents from untrusted sources. The vulnerability's exploitation could result in data breaches, system infiltration, privilege escalation, and denial of service conditions across the entire software ecosystem that relies on Xpdf for PDF handling. Given the library's integration into major software distributions and enterprise applications, the widespread nature of potential compromise creates significant risk for organizations relying on these affected systems.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2005-3628 should focus on immediate remediation through software updates and patches provided by affected vendors. Organizations must prioritize updating all instances of affected software including gpdf, kpdf, pdftohtml, poppler, teTeX, CUPS, and libextractor to versions that contain fixed implementations of the JBIG2 decoding routines. System administrators should implement network-based controls to filter potentially malicious PDF documents, particularly those containing JBIG2 encoded images, as an additional defensive measure. Memory protection mechanisms such as stack canaries, address space layout randomization, and data execution prevention should be enabled to reduce exploitability even if the underlying vulnerability persists. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-121, which addresses stack-based buffer overflow conditions, and maps to ATT&CK techniques involving code injection and privilege escalation. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be implemented to identify and remediate similar buffer overflow conditions within the broader software ecosystem. Organizations should also consider implementing application whitelisting and sandboxing techniques to limit the potential impact of any successful exploitation attempts.