CVE-2016-8715 in Argus
Summary
by MITRE
An exploitable heap corruption vulnerability exists in the loadTrailer functionality of Iceni Argus version 6.6.05. A specially crafted PDF file can cause a heap corruption resulting in arbitrary code execution. An attacker can send/provide a malicious PDF file to trigger this vulnerability.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/02/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-8715 represents a critical heap corruption issue within the Iceni Argus PDF processing library version 6.6.05. This flaw resides in the loadTrailer functionality, which is responsible for parsing and handling trailer dictionaries within PDF documents. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and memory management during the processing of malformed PDF structures, creating a pathway for remote code execution through crafted malicious files. The affected software component processes PDF trailer information as part of standard document parsing operations, making it susceptible to exploitation when handling untrusted input from external sources.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through heap memory corruption that can be triggered by manipulating the trailer dictionary structure within PDF files. When the loadTrailer function processes a specially crafted PDF with malformed trailer data, it fails to properly validate the input parameters before performing memory allocations and data copies. This leads to buffer overflows or use-after-free conditions within the heap memory management system, which can be leveraged by attackers to overwrite critical memory locations and ultimately execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the affected application. The vulnerability specifically maps to CWE-121, which describes heap-based buffer overflow conditions, and demonstrates characteristics consistent with heap corruption patterns commonly exploited in PDF-based attack vectors.
The operational impact of CVE-2016-8715 extends beyond simple code execution, as it provides attackers with a means to compromise systems running vulnerable versions of Iceni Argus software. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it can be triggered through simple file delivery mechanisms, making it suitable for phishing campaigns or malicious document distribution. Attackers can craft PDF files that appear legitimate but contain malicious trailer structures designed to exploit the heap corruption, potentially leading to full system compromise, data exfiltration, or persistence mechanisms. This vulnerability affects any system that relies on Iceni Argus for PDF processing, including document management systems, email servers, and content filtering appliances that utilize this library for PDF analysis.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2016-8715 should prioritize immediate patching of affected systems with the vendor-provided security updates. Organizations should implement network-based controls such as PDF content filtering and sandboxing mechanisms to prevent malicious PDF files from reaching end users. Additionally, security teams should establish monitoring procedures to detect unusual PDF processing activities that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper memory management and input validation in security-critical applications, aligning with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for script-based execution and T1203 for exploitation for privilege escalation. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify similar memory corruption issues in other PDF processing libraries and document handling components within the organization's infrastructure.