CVE-2013-0732 in Nuance
Summary
by MITRE
Heap-based buffer overflow in PDFCore8.dll in Nuance PDF Reader before 8.1 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via crafted font table directory values in a TTF file, related to naming table entries.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/09/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2013-0732 represents a critical heap-based buffer overflow flaw located within PDFCore8.dll component of Nuance PDF Reader software versions prior to 8.1. This security weakness specifically manifests when processing specially crafted font table directory values contained within TrueType Font files, particularly those involving naming table entries. The flaw exists in the manner in which the affected software handles font data structures during PDF rendering operations, creating an exploitable condition that can be leveraged by remote attackers to achieve arbitrary code execution on vulnerable systems. The vulnerability falls under the CWE-121 heap-based buffer overflow category, which is classified as a common weakness in software development practices where insufficient bounds checking allows attackers to overwrite adjacent memory locations. This particular implementation flaw demonstrates a classic example of how font processing libraries can become attack vectors in document rendering applications.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability requires an attacker to craft a malicious TTF file containing specifically formatted font table directory values that trigger the buffer overflow condition within PDFCore8.dll. When a user opens such a crafted document in the vulnerable Nuance PDF Reader, the application attempts to parse the font data and process the naming table entries without proper validation of the font structure parameters. This leads to a heap memory corruption scenario where the overflow occurs in the heap memory region allocated for font processing, potentially allowing attackers to overwrite critical memory structures including return addresses and function pointers. The attack vector is particularly concerning because it operates through the standard document opening mechanism, requiring no special privileges or complex attack scenarios beyond convincing a user to open a malicious document. This aligns with ATT&CK technique T1203 which describes exploitation of vulnerabilities in software applications through crafted input data.
The operational impact of CVE-2013-0732 extends beyond simple code execution capabilities as it provides attackers with a potential pathway for full system compromise. Once successfully exploited, the vulnerability allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the user running the vulnerable application, typically resulting in complete system compromise if the user has administrative privileges. The vulnerability affects organizations using older versions of Nuance PDF Reader, creating a widespread risk across various sectors including financial services, healthcare, and government agencies that rely on document processing applications. Security researchers have noted that the exploitability of this vulnerability is relatively high due to the common usage of PDF documents and font processing libraries in enterprise environments. The memory corruption resulting from the heap overflow can potentially be leveraged for privilege escalation attacks or to install persistent backdoors on compromised systems.
Organizations should immediately implement mitigations including updating to Nuance PDF Reader version 8.1 or later, which contains patches addressing this vulnerability. System administrators should also consider implementing additional protective measures such as restricting PDF file execution permissions, deploying sandboxing solutions for document processing, and monitoring for suspicious font-related file access patterns. Network security controls including web application firewalls and intrusion detection systems should be configured to detect and block potentially malicious font files from entering the network. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of regular software patch management and application security assessments, particularly for widely used productivity applications that process untrusted document formats. Organizations should also consider implementing user education programs to raise awareness about opening suspicious documents, as social engineering remains a critical component in successful exploitation of such vulnerabilities. The remediation process should include comprehensive testing of patched applications to ensure that the vulnerability fix does not introduce compatibility issues with existing document processing workflows.