CVE-2013-0113 in Pdf Reader Plus
Summary
by MITRE
Nuance PDF Reader 7.0 and PDF Viewer Plus 7.1 allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary code or cause a denial of service (memory corruption) via a crafted PDF document.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/12/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2013-0113 affects Nuance PDF Reader version 7.0 and PDF Viewer Plus version 7.1, representing a critical security flaw that enables remote code execution or denial of service through maliciously crafted PDF files. This vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and memory handling within the PDF processing components of these applications, creating a pathway for attackers to exploit memory corruption issues that can lead to arbitrary code execution on targeted systems.
The technical flaw manifests as a memory corruption vulnerability that occurs when the affected PDF reader processes malformed or specially crafted PDF documents. The vulnerability typically involves buffer overflows or heap corruption issues that arise from improper handling of PDF objects, streams, or embedded content. Attackers can construct PDF files containing malicious payloads that trigger these memory corruption conditions when the vulnerable software attempts to parse and render the document. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-121, which categorizes buffer overflow conditions that can lead to arbitrary code execution, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1203 for exploitation of memory corruption vulnerabilities.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe, as it allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code on systems running the affected software without requiring user interaction beyond opening the malicious PDF file. This makes the vulnerability particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where users may inadvertently open compromised documents through email attachments or web downloads. The potential for denial of service attacks also exists, where attackers can cause the application to crash or become unresponsive, leading to system instability and disruption of legitimate business operations. Systems that rely heavily on PDF document processing become prime targets for exploitation, particularly those with limited security controls or outdated software versions.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2013-0113 should prioritize immediate software updates from Nuance, as the vendor likely released patches addressing the memory corruption issues in subsequent versions. Organizations should implement network-level controls such as PDF file filtering and sandboxing mechanisms to prevent automatic execution of potentially malicious documents. Security teams should also consider deploying endpoint protection solutions with advanced threat detection capabilities that can identify suspicious PDF processing behaviors. Additionally, user education programs should emphasize the importance of only opening PDF files from trusted sources and maintaining current software versions. Network segmentation and monitoring systems can help detect unusual PDF processing activities that may indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of regular security updates and proper input validation in document processing applications, as it represents a classic example of how insufficient validation can lead to remote code execution in widely used software products.