CVE-2017-5108 in Chrome
Summary
by MITRE
Type confusion in PDFium in Google Chrome prior to 60.0.3112.78 for Mac, Windows, Linux, and Android allowed a remote attacker to potentially maliciously modify objects via a crafted PDF file.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/05/2023
CVE-2017-5108 represents a critical type confusion vulnerability within the PDFium library that powers Google Chrome's PDF rendering capabilities across multiple platforms. This vulnerability stems from improper handling of object types during PDF parsing operations, creating conditions where the software incorrectly interprets data structures, leading to potential memory corruption scenarios. The flaw specifically affects Chrome versions prior to 60.0.3112.78 on Mac, Windows, Linux, and Android operating systems, making it a widespread concern across the Chrome ecosystem.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the PDFium component's failure to properly validate object types during parsing operations. When processing maliciously crafted PDF files, the library may inadvertently treat one data type as another, causing memory layout confusion that can result in arbitrary code execution. This type confusion occurs at the core level of PDF processing where objects are allocated and manipulated, creating opportunities for attackers to manipulate memory contents through carefully constructed PDF payloads. The vulnerability falls under the CWE-476 category of NULL Pointer Dereference, though it manifests more specifically as a type confusion issue that can lead to memory corruption.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents significant risk to users who regularly encounter PDF documents from untrusted sources. Remote attackers can exploit this flaw by hosting malicious PDF files on web servers or distributing them through email attachments, social engineering campaigns, or compromised websites. The attack vector requires no user interaction beyond opening the PDF file, making it particularly dangerous as it can be triggered through automated browser behavior. The impact extends beyond simple exploitation as successful attacks can lead to full system compromise, allowing attackers to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the Chrome process, potentially enabling further attacks within the compromised system.
The remediation for CVE-2017-5108 primarily involves upgrading to Google Chrome version 60.0.3112.78 or later, which includes patches addressing the type confusion in PDFium. Organizations should implement comprehensive patch management procedures to ensure all Chrome installations are updated promptly. Additionally, administrators should consider implementing PDF content filtering solutions and network-based security controls to detect and block suspicious PDF files. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1203 (Exploitation for Client Execution) and T1059 (Command and Scripting Interpreter) as attackers can leverage this vulnerability to execute malicious code through compromised browsers. Security teams should also monitor for indicators of compromise related to PDF-based attacks and maintain updated threat intelligence feeds to identify potential exploitation attempts targeting this specific vulnerability.