CVE-2017-14945 in GSView
Summary
by MITRE
Artifex GSView 6.0 Beta on Windows allows attackers to cause a denial of service or possibly have unspecified other impact via a crafted .pdf file, related to "Possible Stack Corruption starting at KERNELBASE!RaiseException+0x0000000000000068."
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/20/2019
CVE-2017-14945 represents a critical vulnerability in Artifex GSView 6.0 Beta for Windows systems that exposes users to potential denial of service conditions and unspecified security impacts through maliciously crafted pdf files. This vulnerability specifically targets the application's handling of malformed pdf input files, creating a dangerous scenario where legitimate users may inadvertently trigger system instability. The flaw manifests within the KERNELBASE!RaiseException function, indicating a stack corruption issue that occurs during exception handling operations. This type of vulnerability falls under the category of memory corruption flaws that can be exploited to disrupt normal application behavior or potentially escalate privileges. The attack vector requires an attacker to craft a specially designed pdf file that when opened by GSView 6.0 Beta will trigger the vulnerable code path leading to kernel-level stack corruption.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability demonstrates a classic stack-based buffer overflow condition that occurs during pdf parsing operations. When GSView processes the crafted pdf file, the malformed input data causes the application to improperly handle exception scenarios, specifically within the KERNELBASE component of the windows operating system. This type of vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it operates at the kernel level, meaning that successful exploitation could potentially allow attackers to execute arbitrary code or cause system crashes that result in complete denial of service. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond simple application instability as it could enable attackers to compromise the entire system through privilege escalation techniques. According to CWE classification, this represents a CWE-121: Stack-based Buffer Overflow, which is a well-documented and highly dangerous category of memory corruption vulnerabilities that frequently leads to system compromise.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-14945 affects organizations that rely on GSView 6.0 Beta for pdf document processing and viewing, particularly those in environments where pdf files are frequently exchanged or processed automatically. The vulnerability creates a persistent risk for users who may unknowingly open maliciously crafted pdf documents, potentially leading to system crashes, data loss, or unauthorized access. Organizations using this software in production environments face significant risk of service disruption, especially in scenarios where pdf processing is automated or where users have limited security awareness. The vulnerability's exploitation requires minimal skill from attackers, making it particularly dangerous as it can be leveraged by threat actors with basic technical capabilities. From an att&ck framework perspective, this vulnerability aligns with techniques involving privilege escalation and denial of service, specifically targeting the execution and persistence phases of the attack lifecycle. The vulnerability also represents a significant concern for organizations following security frameworks like iso/iec 27001 and nist cybersecurity framework, as it creates gaps in system availability and integrity controls.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-14945 should prioritize immediate software updates and patches from Artifex to address the stack corruption issue within the GSView application. Organizations should implement strict pdf file validation procedures, including sandboxed processing environments and automated content scanning to detect potentially malicious pdf files before they reach end users. Network administrators should consider implementing web application firewalls and content filtering solutions that can identify and block suspicious pdf file transfers. Additionally, user education programs should be established to raise awareness about the dangers of opening pdf files from untrusted sources. System administrators should monitor for unusual system crashes or denial of service events that may indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability also necessitates regular security assessments and penetration testing to identify similar issues within other pdf processing applications. Organizations should maintain detailed incident response procedures specifically designed to handle potential exploitation of memory corruption vulnerabilities, including system recovery protocols and forensic analysis capabilities. Implementing defense-in-depth strategies including network segmentation, access controls, and continuous monitoring will provide additional layers of protection against potential exploitation of this and similar vulnerabilities.