CVE-2018-19150 in PDF Architect
Summary
by MITRE
Memory corruption in PDMODELProvidePDModelHFT in pdmodel.dll in pdfforge PDF Architect 6 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (application crash) or possibly have unspecified other impact because of a "Data from Faulting Address controls Code Flow" issue.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/11/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-19150 represents a critical memory corruption flaw within the pdmodel.dll library of pdfforge PDF Architect 6 software. This issue manifests specifically within the PDMODELProvidePDModelHFT function, where attackers can exploit a data flow control vulnerability that originates from a faulting address. The flaw falls under the category of memory safety issues and demonstrates characteristics consistent with control flow hijacking vulnerabilities. Such vulnerabilities typically arise when attacker-controlled data influences program execution paths, potentially allowing for arbitrary code execution or system instability. The vulnerability's classification aligns with CWE-125, which describes out-of-bounds read conditions, and CWE-787, which covers out-of-bounds write operations that can lead to memory corruption.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through remote attack vectors, enabling malicious actors to trigger application crashes or potentially achieve more severe consequences. When the faulting address data controls code flow, it indicates that the program's execution path can be manipulated through corrupted memory references, creating opportunities for attackers to redirect program execution. This particular flaw affects the PDF processing capabilities of the software, making it possible for remote attackers to craft malicious PDF documents or manipulate input data that gets processed by the vulnerable pdmodel.dll component. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond simple denial of service, as the unspecified other impacts could include privilege escalation, information disclosure, or complete system compromise depending on the execution environment.
The operational impact of CVE-2018-19150 creates significant risks for organizations relying on pdfforge PDF Architect 6 for document processing and management. System administrators face potential disruptions in document workflow processes, as the application may crash or become unresponsive when processing certain PDF files. This vulnerability particularly affects environments where users frequently interact with PDF documents from external sources, as the remote attack vector allows for exploitation without requiring local access. The flaw's presence in a widely used PDF editing tool means that organizations may experience service interruptions, productivity losses, and potential security breaches if attackers successfully exploit the vulnerability. Security teams must consider this vulnerability in their risk assessment frameworks, particularly when evaluating the security posture of document processing systems and PDF handling workflows.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-19150 should prioritize immediate patching of affected systems, as the vulnerability represents a clear and present danger to system stability and security. Organizations should implement network segmentation to limit access to PDF processing systems and deploy intrusion detection systems to monitor for exploitation attempts. The vulnerability's characteristics suggest that input validation and memory safety measures should be enhanced throughout the PDF processing pipeline. Security controls aligned with the ATT&CK framework should include monitoring for suspicious PDF file processing activities and implementing application whitelisting for PDF handling applications. Additionally, organizations should conduct thorough vulnerability assessments to identify all instances of pdfforge PDF Architect 6 installations and ensure proper patch management protocols are in place to prevent exploitation. Regular security updates and proactive monitoring of security advisories related to PDF processing software remain essential defensive measures against similar vulnerabilities in the future.