CVE-2009-1187 in Poppler
Summary
by MITRE
Integer overflow in the JBIG2 decoding feature in Poppler before 0.10.6 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (crash) and possibly execute arbitrary code via vectors related to CairoOutputDev (CairoOutputDev.cc).
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/29/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2009-1187 represents a critical integer overflow flaw within the JBIG2 decoding implementation of the Poppler PDF rendering library. This issue affects versions prior to 0.10.6 and stems from improper handling of integer arithmetic during the processing of JBIG2 compressed image data. The vulnerability specifically manifests within the CairoOutputDev component which serves as a graphics output device abstraction layer for rendering PDF content using the Cairo graphics library. When processing maliciously crafted JBIG2 data, the integer overflow occurs during buffer size calculations, leading to memory corruption that can result in unpredictable program behavior.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through carefully crafted PDF documents containing malformed JBIG2 compressed images. The integer overflow specifically affects the calculation of buffer sizes needed for image decompression operations, where an attacker can manipulate input parameters to cause arithmetic overflow conditions. This flaw falls under CWE-190, which specifically addresses integer overflow conditions, and more broadly under CWE-129, concerning improper validation of array indices. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it can be triggered during normal PDF rendering operations, making it an attractive target for remote exploitation. When the overflow occurs, it can lead to heap corruption, which may result in denial of service through application crashes or potentially allow for arbitrary code execution if proper memory management protections are not in place.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends across numerous applications and systems that rely on Poppler for PDF processing, including web browsers, document viewers, and server-side PDF rendering services. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability by hosting malicious PDF files on web servers or delivering them through email attachments, enabling remote code execution on systems that process these documents. The vulnerability's severity is amplified by the widespread use of Poppler in various software ecosystems, including major web browsers, desktop applications, and server platforms. The flaw demonstrates how seemingly benign image compression formats can become attack vectors when proper input validation and integer arithmetic bounds checking are absent. Organizations using vulnerable versions of Poppler must consider the potential for remote exploitation in their security posture assessments.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2009-1187 primarily focus on immediate version upgrades to Poppler 0.10.6 or later, which contain the necessary patches to address the integer overflow conditions. System administrators should implement comprehensive patch management procedures to ensure all affected systems receive updates promptly. Additional defensive measures include implementing PDF sandboxing mechanisms, deploying network-based intrusion detection systems to monitor for suspicious PDF content, and configuring applications to restrict PDF processing to trusted sources only. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of proper integer overflow protection mechanisms and input validation in graphics processing libraries, aligning with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for scripting and T1203 for exploitation of remote services. Organizations should also consider implementing application whitelisting policies and network segmentation to limit the potential impact of successful exploitation attempts.