CVE-2013-0742 in PDF Fusion
Summary
by MITRE
Stack-based buffer overflow in Corel PDF Fusion 1.11 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code or cause a denial of service (application crash) via a long ZIP directory entry name in an XPS file.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/02/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2013-0742 represents a critical stack-based buffer overflow flaw within Corel PDF Fusion version 1.11 that exposes the application to remote code execution and denial of service attacks. This vulnerability specifically manifests when the software processes XPS files containing malformed ZIP directory entry names that exceed the allocated buffer space. The flaw occurs during the parsing of XPS documents which internally use ZIP compression format for packaging various components including fonts, images, and layout information. When an attacker crafts an XPS file with an excessively long directory entry name, the software's insufficient input validation causes the buffer overflow to occur in the stack memory region, potentially allowing malicious code execution with the privileges of the affected application.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability leverages the fundamental weakness in memory management practices where the application fails to properly validate the length of directory entry names before copying them into fixed-size buffers. This type of buffer overflow falls under the Common Weakness Enumeration category CWE-121, which specifically addresses stack-based buffer overflow conditions where insufficient bounds checking allows attackers to overwrite adjacent stack memory locations. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it operates in a remote attack scenario, meaning an attacker can trigger the flaw through maliciously crafted XPS files delivered via email attachments, web downloads, or other network-based vectors without requiring local system access. The overflow can corrupt return addresses, function pointers, and other critical stack data structures, leading to unpredictable application behavior and potential arbitrary code execution.
The operational impact of CVE-2013-0742 extends beyond simple application crashes to potentially enable full system compromise when exploited successfully. Organizations relying on Corel PDF Fusion for document processing and conversion face significant risk, particularly in environments where users regularly handle untrusted documents from external sources. The vulnerability affects both the availability and integrity of the affected systems, as successful exploitation could lead to complete system compromise through privilege escalation or persistent backdoor installation. Security researchers have noted that the attack surface is broadened by the widespread use of XPS format processing tools and the common practice of opening documents from unverified sources. The denial of service aspect of this vulnerability can be particularly disruptive in enterprise environments where document processing workflows depend on reliable software operation, potentially causing business interruption and productivity loss.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2013-0742 should focus on immediate patch management and operational security controls to protect against exploitation attempts. Organizations must prioritize updating to the latest version of Corel PDF Fusion that addresses this specific buffer overflow vulnerability, as the vendor has released patches specifically targeting this flaw. Network-based defenses should include implementing content filtering solutions that scan and block XPS files from untrusted sources, particularly in email systems and web gateways. Security teams should also consider implementing application whitelisting policies that restrict execution of potentially vulnerable software in critical environments. Additional protective measures include disabling automatic processing of XPS files in web browsers and email clients, implementing sandboxing techniques for document handling, and establishing robust monitoring for unusual application behavior that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of input validation and proper memory management practices in preventing stack-based buffer overflows, aligning with ATT&CK technique T1059 for execution through command and scripting interpreter and T1203 for exploitation for privilege escalation.