CVE-2014-7900 in Chrome
Summary
by MITRE
Use-after-free vulnerability in the CPDF_Parser::IsLinearizedFile function in fpdfapi/fpdf_parser/fpdf_parser_parser.cpp in PDFium, as used in Google Chrome before 39.0.2171.65, allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service or possibly have unspecified other impact via a crafted PDF document.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/25/2022
The CVE-2014-7900 vulnerability represents a critical use-after-free flaw in the PDFium library's CPDF_Parser::IsLinearizedFile function, which is integral to Google Chrome's PDF rendering capabilities. This vulnerability specifically affects Chrome versions prior to 39.0.2171.65, where the PDFium component handles document parsing and rendering operations. The issue stems from improper memory management within the parser's linearized file detection mechanism, creating a scenario where freed memory locations are accessed after the original allocation has been released. Such memory corruption vulnerabilities are particularly dangerous because they can lead to unpredictable behavior and potential exploitation by malicious actors. The vulnerability exists within the fpdfapi/fpdf_parser/fpdf_parser_parser.cpp source file, indicating a deep integration point in the PDF processing pipeline where the parser encounters malformed or crafted input data.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when a malicious PDF document triggers the CPDF_Parser::IsLinearizedFile function with specially crafted data that causes the parser to free memory resources while simultaneously attempting to access those same resources. This creates a race condition where memory that should no longer be accessible becomes available for reuse, leading to potential memory corruption. The use-after-free condition can manifest in various ways depending on the specific memory layout and execution context, potentially resulting in denial of service through application crashes or more severe impacts including arbitrary code execution. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond simple service disruption as it represents a fundamental memory safety issue that can be leveraged to bypass security controls and compromise system integrity. According to CWE classification, this maps to CWE-416: Use After Free, which is categorized under the broader family of memory safety vulnerabilities that occur when programs continue to reference memory after it has been freed.
The operational impact of CVE-2014-7900 is significant for organizations relying on affected Chrome versions, as it creates a persistent attack surface that can be exploited through web-based PDF documents. Attackers can craft malicious PDF files that, when opened in vulnerable browsers, trigger the memory corruption scenario and potentially lead to system compromise. The vulnerability's remote exploitation capability means that users can be targeted through simple web browsing activities, making it particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where users may encounter untrusted PDF content. Organizations using affected Chrome versions face risks of service disruption, data exposure, and potential lateral movement within networks if attackers successfully exploit this vulnerability. The impact extends to web applications and services that rely on Chrome's PDF rendering capabilities, as these systems become vulnerable to attacks that leverage the memory corruption to execute malicious code or gain unauthorized access to system resources. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK techniques related to initial access through malicious files and privilege escalation through memory corruption exploits.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2014-7900 primarily focus on immediate remediation through software updates and browser version management. Organizations should prioritize upgrading to Chrome version 39.0.2171.65 or later, which contains the necessary patches to address the memory management issues in the CPDF_Parser::IsLinearizedFile function. Additional protective measures include implementing web application firewalls that can detect and block suspicious PDF content, deploying sandboxing technologies that limit the impact of potential exploitation, and establishing robust patch management processes to ensure timely deployment of security updates. Network monitoring should be enhanced to detect anomalous PDF processing activities that might indicate exploitation attempts. Security teams should also consider implementing content filtering solutions that can identify and quarantine potentially malicious PDF documents before they reach end users. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date software components and implementing defense-in-depth strategies to protect against memory safety vulnerabilities that can be exploited for remote code execution and system compromise.