CVE-2017-14928 in Poppler
Summary
by MITRE
In Poppler 0.59.0, a NULL Pointer Dereference exists in AnnotRichMedia::Configuration::Configuration in Annot.cc via a crafted PDF document.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/30/2022
The vulnerability CVE-2017-14928 represents a critical null pointer dereference flaw in the Poppler PDF rendering library version 0.59.0. This issue specifically affects the AnnotRichMedia::Configuration::Configuration component within the Annot.cc source file, creating a scenario where maliciously crafted PDF documents can trigger unauthorized memory access patterns. The vulnerability arises from insufficient input validation and error handling within the rich media annotation processing subsystem, which is commonly used in PDF documents to embed multimedia content. When a PDF parser encounters a malformed rich media annotation structure, the application fails to properly validate pointer references before dereferencing them, leading to potential application crashes or system instability. This flaw falls under the CWE-476 category of NULL Pointer Dereference, which is classified as a fundamental programming error that can lead to denial of service conditions and potentially more severe security implications.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple application crashes, as it can be exploited in remote code execution scenarios when the affected library is used in web browsers, PDF viewers, or document processing applications. Attackers can craft malicious PDF documents that, when opened by vulnerable applications, will cause the Poppler library to attempt to dereference a null pointer during the rich media annotation parsing process. This creates a denial of service condition that can be reliably triggered by any user who opens the malicious document, making it particularly dangerous in environments where users frequently open untrusted PDF content. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of robust input validation and error handling in security-critical components, as the flaw exists in the core parsing logic of a widely-used PDF rendering engine that powers numerous applications across different platforms and operating systems.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-14928 require immediate patching of affected Poppler versions to 0.59.1 or later, which contains the necessary fixes for the null pointer dereference issue. Organizations should implement comprehensive vulnerability management processes that include regular updates of PDF rendering libraries and other third-party components. Security professionals should also consider implementing network-level protections such as PDF content filtering and sandboxing mechanisms to prevent exploitation of this vulnerability in environments where patching may not be immediately possible. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under the T1203 technique of Exploitation for Client Execution, as it represents a classic client-side exploitation vector that leverages application parsing flaws to achieve unauthorized code execution or denial of service. Additionally, the vulnerability highlights the need for proper memory safety practices and defensive programming techniques, including the implementation of null pointer checks and proper error handling mechanisms in all input processing components. Organizations should also consider adopting automated security testing tools that can detect similar patterns in codebases and implement static analysis solutions to identify potential null pointer dereference vulnerabilities before they can be exploited in production environments.