CVE-2009-3607 in Poppler
Summary
by MITRE
Integer overflow in the create_surface_from_thumbnail_data function in glib/poppler-page.cc in Poppler 0.x allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (memory corruption) or possibly execute arbitrary code via a crafted PDF document that triggers a heap-based buffer overflow. NOTE: some of these details are obtained from third party information.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/24/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2009-3607 represents a critical integer overflow condition within the Poppler PDF rendering library, specifically in the create_surface_from_thumbnail_data function located in glib/poppler-page.cc. This flaw affects Poppler versions 0.x and demonstrates how improper input validation can lead to severe security consequences. The vulnerability arises when processing thumbnail data within PDF documents, where the application fails to properly validate integer values before performing memory allocation operations.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through a carefully crafted PDF document that triggers an integer overflow during the heap memory allocation process. When the create_surface_from_thumbnail_data function processes malicious input, it performs calculations that exceed the maximum representable value for the integer data type, causing the overflow to wrap around and result in unexpectedly small or negative values. This malformed calculation subsequently leads to heap-based buffer overflow conditions when the application attempts to allocate memory based on these corrupted integer values, potentially causing memory corruption that can manifest as denial of service or arbitrary code execution.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents significant risks to systems that process untrusted PDF content, particularly those in web environments or document handling applications. The attack vector is remote and requires no authentication, making it particularly dangerous for web applications that render PDF documents directly in browsers or for servers that process PDF uploads. The potential impact extends beyond simple denial of service to include arbitrary code execution, which could allow attackers to gain full control over affected systems. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-190, Integer Overflow or Wraparound, and represents a classic example of how integer arithmetic errors can lead to memory corruption vulnerabilities.
The security implications of CVE-2009-3607 are compounded by its location within a core PDF rendering library that is widely deployed across various operating systems and applications. Systems utilizing Poppler for PDF processing, including web browsers, document viewers, and server applications, are all potentially vulnerable to this attack. The vulnerability's classification under ATT&CK technique T1203, Exploitation for Client Execution, highlights its potential for client-side exploitation, while its memory corruption characteristics align with ATT&CK technique T1068, Exploitation for Privilege Escalation. Organizations should prioritize patching affected systems, implementing input validation measures, and considering sandboxing techniques to limit the potential impact of such vulnerabilities in their environments.