CVE-2009-3605 in Poppler
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple integer overflows in Poppler 0.10.5 and earlier allow remote attackers to cause a denial of service (application crash) or possibly execute arbitrary code via a crafted PDF file, related to (1) glib/poppler-page.cc; (2) ArthurOutputDev.cc, (3) CairoOutputDev.cc, (4) GfxState.cc, (5) JBIG2Stream.cc, (6) PSOutputDev.cc, and (7) SplashOutputDev.cc in poppler/; and (8) SplashBitmap.cc, (9) Splash.cc, and (10) SplashFTFont.cc in splash/. NOTE: this may overlap CVE-2009-0791.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/25/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2009-3605 represents a critical security flaw affecting Poppler versions 0.10.5 and earlier, which is a widely used PDF rendering library. This vulnerability stems from multiple integer overflow conditions that can be exploited through maliciously crafted PDF files, potentially leading to either denial of service or arbitrary code execution on affected systems. The flaw manifests across several core components of the Poppler library, making it particularly dangerous as it affects fundamental rendering operations that are essential for PDF processing. These integer overflows occur in both the core PDF parsing functionality and the various output device implementations that handle rendering to different formats and display systems.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves integer overflows occurring in key Poppler modules including glib/poppler-page.cc, ArthurOutputDev.cc, CairoOutputDev.cc, GfxState.cc, JBIG2Stream.cc, PSOutputDev.cc, and SplashOutputDev.cc within the main poppler directory, along with additional components in the splash/ subdirectory such as SplashBitmap.cc, Splash.cc, and SplashFTFont.cc. These overflows typically occur when the library processes malformed PDF data that contains oversized numerical values or corrupted size parameters in PDF objects. When these integer overflows occur during memory allocation or buffer sizing operations, they can result in memory corruption that leads to application crashes or more severe consequences. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it can be triggered through legitimate PDF rendering operations, meaning that simply opening a malicious PDF file could compromise a system. This type of vulnerability maps directly to CWE-190, which specifically addresses integer overflow conditions that can result in memory corruption and potentially arbitrary code execution.
The operational impact of CVE-2009-3605 extends beyond simple denial of service scenarios, as the vulnerability can potentially enable remote code execution depending on the specific conditions and system configurations. Attackers can craft PDF files that exploit these integer overflows to cause applications using Poppler to crash or, in more sophisticated attacks, to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the affected application. This makes the vulnerability particularly dangerous in environments where PDF files are frequently opened or processed automatically, such as web browsers, email clients, or document management systems. The attack surface is significantly broadened because Poppler is integrated into numerous applications across different platforms and operating systems, making it a prime target for exploitation. The overlap with CVE-2009-0791 indicates that similar integer overflow patterns exist across different components of the same library, suggesting a systemic issue in how numerical values are handled throughout the Poppler codebase. From an adversarial perspective, this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK techniques involving privilege escalation and code execution through application vulnerabilities, making it a significant concern for cybersecurity professionals responsible for protecting enterprise environments.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2009-3605 require immediate patching of affected Poppler installations to version 0.10.6 or later, where the integer overflow conditions have been addressed through proper input validation and boundary checking. Organizations should also implement defensive measures such as PDF sandboxing, content filtering, and restricted PDF handling in high-risk environments. Additional security controls including network segmentation, email filtering, and web application firewalls can help reduce the attack surface and limit potential exploitation. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify any remaining instances of vulnerable Poppler versions within the organization's infrastructure. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of input validation and proper boundary checking in security-critical applications, particularly those handling untrusted data formats like PDF files. Organizations should also consider implementing automated patch management systems to ensure timely updates of security-critical libraries and prevent exploitation of known vulnerabilities.