CVE-2008-5409 in Groupware Server
Summary
by MITRE
Unspecified vulnerability in the pdf.xmd module in (1) BitDefender Free Edition 10 and Antivirus Standard 10, (2) BullGuard Internet Security 8.5, and (3) Software602 Groupware Server 6.0.08.1118 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (application crash) or possibly execute arbitrary code via a crafted PDF file, possibly related to included compressed streams that were processed with the ASCIIHexDecode filter. NOTE: some of these details are obtained from third party information.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/11/2024
The vulnerability described in CVE-2008-5409 represents a critical security flaw affecting multiple antivirus and security software products that process PDF files through the pdf.xmd module. This issue specifically impacts BitDefender Free Edition 10 and Antivirus Standard 10, BullGuard Internet Security 8.5, and Software602 Groupware Server 6.0.08.1118, highlighting a widespread problem in PDF processing implementations across different security vendors. The vulnerability manifests when these applications encounter specially crafted PDF files that contain compressed streams processed using the ASCIIHexDecode filter, creating a scenario where legitimate security software becomes a vector for exploitation.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from improper handling of compressed data streams within PDF files, particularly those utilizing the ASCIIHexDecode filter which is a standard PDF compression method. When these applications attempt to process such malformed or crafted PDF content, the pdf.xmd module fails to properly validate or sanitize the compressed data, leading to potential buffer overflows, memory corruption, or unexpected application behavior. This flaw operates at the intersection of PDF parsing and decompression logic, where the security software's own PDF processing capabilities become the attack surface rather than providing protection.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability creates a significant risk for organizations relying on these security products, as attackers can exploit the flaw to either crash applications causing denial of service or potentially execute arbitrary code on affected systems. The remote attack vector means that simply opening or scanning a malicious PDF file could compromise systems without user interaction, making this particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where PDF files are frequently processed. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond individual system compromise to potentially affect entire network security infrastructures that depend on these applications for threat detection.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-129, which addresses improper validation of input boundaries, and CWE-125, which covers out-of-bounds read conditions. Additionally, this issue maps to ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter, as successful exploitation could lead to arbitrary code execution. The attack surface is particularly concerning given that PDF processing is a common security function across multiple software domains, from endpoint protection to email security gateways and document management systems. Organizations should prioritize patching affected systems and implementing additional PDF scanning controls, as the vulnerability demonstrates how legitimate security software can become an attack vector when handling malformed input data.
The broader implications of this vulnerability highlight the importance of robust input validation and secure coding practices in security software development. It demonstrates that even security products designed to detect and prevent malicious activity can contain flaws that allow attackers to bypass protection mechanisms entirely. This case underscores the need for comprehensive security testing, including fuzzing and input validation testing, particularly for applications that process complex file formats like PDFs. The vulnerability also emphasizes the necessity of maintaining up-to-date security software and implementing layered defense strategies to protect against such zero-day exploits that target legitimate security tools.