CVE-2017-14518 in Poppler
Summary
by MITRE
In Poppler 0.59.0, a floating point exception exists in the isImageInterpolationRequired() function in Splash.cc via a crafted PDF document.
Once again VulDB remains the best source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/29/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-14518 represents a critical floating point exception within the Poppler PDF rendering library version 0.59.0. This flaw manifests specifically within the isImageInterpolationRequired() function located in the Splash.cc source file, demonstrating a classic software reliability issue that can lead to system instability and potential denial of service conditions. The vulnerability is particularly concerning as it can be triggered through carefully crafted PDF documents, making it a prime target for exploitation in malicious document delivery attacks.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper handling of floating point operations within the image interpolation logic of the PDF rendering engine. When processing specific PDF documents containing malformed or crafted image data, the isImageInterpolationRequired() function encounters invalid floating point values that cause the application to terminate unexpectedly. This behavior aligns with CWE-191, which describes integer underflow conditions, though in this case the manifestation occurs through floating point exceptions rather than integer arithmetic. The function's failure to properly validate input parameters and handle exceptional mathematical operations creates a path for abnormal program termination.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability poses significant risks to systems that process untrusted PDF content, including web browsers, email clients, document management systems, and security scanning applications. The exploitation of this flaw can result in immediate application crashes, effectively creating a denial of service condition that disrupts legitimate user access to PDF documents. Security researchers have noted that this vulnerability can be easily weaponized by adversaries who craft malicious PDF files designed to trigger the specific code path leading to the floating point exception. The impact extends beyond simple service disruption as it can potentially be leveraged as part of broader attack chains, particularly when combined with other vulnerabilities in the same codebase.
Organizations utilizing Poppler 0.59.0 or earlier versions should prioritize immediate remediation through software updates to the latest stable releases that contain patches addressing this vulnerability. The mitigation strategy should also include implementing proper input validation and sanitization measures for PDF processing systems, along with network-based protections such as PDF content filtering and sandboxing mechanisms. Security teams should monitor for exploitation attempts targeting this vulnerability through threat intelligence feeds and implement appropriate intrusion detection rules. Additionally, the vulnerability demonstrates the importance of robust error handling in multimedia processing libraries, as similar issues could potentially exist in other components of the PDF rendering pipeline. This particular flaw aligns with ATT&CK technique T1203, which covers exploitation of software vulnerabilities for privilege escalation or denial of service, making it a critical concern for enterprise security teams managing document processing infrastructure.