CVE-2012-4914 in CoolPDF
Summary
by MITRE
Stack-based buffer overflow in the reader in CoolPDF 3.0.2.256 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a PDF document with a crafted stream.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/29/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2012-4914 represents a critical stack-based buffer overflow flaw within the PDF reader component of CoolPDF version 3.0.2.256. This issue resides in the document parsing logic that processes PDF streams, creating an exploitable condition that can be triggered through maliciously crafted PDF files. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and memory management within the reader's stream processing functions, where attacker-controlled data can overwrite adjacent stack memory locations without proper bounds checking.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when a malicious PDF document contains a specially crafted stream that exceeds the allocated buffer size during parsing operations. This overflow can overwrite return addresses, function pointers, and other critical stack data structures, allowing remote attackers to redirect execution flow and ultimately execute arbitrary code on the target system. The flaw specifically affects the reader component's handling of PDF stream objects, which are fundamental elements used to store and transmit data within PDF documents. This type of vulnerability falls under the CWE-121 stack-based buffer overflow category, which is classified as a critical weakness in software security practices.
The operational impact of CVE-2012-4914 is severe and far-reaching, as it enables remote code execution without requiring user interaction beyond opening the malicious PDF document. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to install malware, establish backdoors, or perform privilege escalation attacks on systems running vulnerable versions of CoolPDF. The vulnerability affects systems where CoolPDF is installed as the default PDF reader, making it particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where users frequently open PDF documents from untrusted sources. This type of attack vector aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068, which describes the use of privilege escalation through exploitation of software vulnerabilities, and T1203, which covers exploitation for client execution via malicious documents.
Organizations should immediately implement mitigations including updating to the latest version of CoolPDF that addresses this vulnerability, implementing sandboxing mechanisms for PDF document handling, and deploying network-based intrusion detection systems that can identify suspicious PDF content patterns. System administrators should also consider disabling PDF preview features in web browsers and email clients, as these may be vulnerable to similar exploitation techniques. The vulnerability highlights the importance of proper input validation and memory safety practices in document processing software, particularly in applications that handle untrusted data from external sources. Additionally, security teams should conduct regular vulnerability assessments of PDF processing components and implement principle of least privilege access controls for PDF handling applications.