CVE-2017-14520 in Poppler
Summary
by MITRE
In Poppler 0.59.0, a floating point exception occurs in Splash::scaleImageYuXd() in Splash.cc, which may lead to a potential attack when handling malicious PDF files.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/29/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-14520 represents a critical floating point exception within the Poppler PDF rendering library version 0.59.0. This flaw manifests specifically in the Splash::scaleImageYuXd() function located in the Splash.cc source file, where improper handling of certain mathematical operations triggers an exception that can disrupt normal program execution. The vulnerability arises from the library's inability to properly validate input parameters when processing scaled image data within PDF documents, creating a potential denial of service condition that attackers can exploit through crafted malicious PDF files.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the mathematical operations performed during image scaling processes within the Splash graphics engine component of Poppler. When the scaleImageYuXd() function encounters specific combinations of input values that result in invalid floating point operations, such as division by zero or overflow conditions, the system generates an unhandled exception that terminates the application or causes it to behave unpredictably. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-191 Integer Underflow/Overflow, as the mathematical operations involved in image scaling can produce results that exceed the representable range of the data types used in the computation. The flaw demonstrates characteristics consistent with CWE-369 Divide by Zero, where improper input validation leads to mathematical operations that cannot be completed within the expected computational domain.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-14520 extends beyond simple denial of service scenarios, as it can be leveraged by attackers to disrupt services that depend on Poppler for PDF processing. Systems utilizing Poppler for document rendering, conversion, or analysis may become vulnerable to remote exploitation when processing untrusted PDF content, potentially affecting web applications, document management systems, and security tools that rely on this library. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1203, which describes the exploitation of software vulnerabilities to gain unauthorized access or disrupt system operations. Attackers can craft malicious PDF files containing specially constructed image data that triggers the floating point exception when processed by vulnerable applications, leading to service disruption or potentially enabling further attack vectors if the application does not properly handle the exception conditions.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability primarily focus on immediate software updates and defensive programming practices. The most effective remediation involves upgrading to Poppler version 0.60.0 or later, where the problematic code has been modified to properly validate input parameters and handle exceptional mathematical conditions. Organizations should implement comprehensive patch management procedures to ensure all systems utilizing Poppler are updated promptly. Additionally, defensive programming measures such as implementing proper exception handling, input validation, and boundary checking can help prevent similar issues in other components. Security monitoring should include detection of unusual processing patterns or service disruptions that might indicate exploitation attempts, while network segmentation and application whitelisting can provide additional layers of protection against unauthorized PDF processing operations.