CVE-2018-8002 in PoDoFo
Summary
by MITRE
In PoDoFo 0.9.5, there exists an infinite loop vulnerability in PdfParserObject::ParseFileComplete() in PdfParserObject.cpp which may result in stack overflow. Remote attackers could leverage this vulnerability to cause a denial-of-service or possibly unspecified other impact via a crafted pdf file.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/20/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-8002 represents a critical denial-of-service weakness within the PoDoFo library version 0.9.5, specifically affecting the PdfParserObject::ParseFileComplete() function located in PdfParserObject.cpp. This flaw manifests as an infinite loop condition that can lead to stack overflow scenarios, fundamentally compromising the stability and availability of applications that rely on PoDoFo for PDF processing. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it can be triggered remotely through the manipulation of crafted PDF files, making it accessible to attackers without requiring local system access or elevated privileges.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and loop termination logic within the PDF parsing mechanism. When the PdfParserObject::ParseFileComplete() function processes malformed or specially crafted PDF files, it enters an infinite loop where the parsing logic repeatedly executes without proper exit conditions. This condition is classified under CWE-835, which specifically addresses the issue of infinite loops that can lead to stack overflow conditions. The flaw demonstrates poor defensive programming practices where the parser fails to implement proper bounds checking or recursion depth limits when handling complex or malformed PDF structures.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple denial-of-service conditions, potentially creating broader security implications for systems that process untrusted PDF content. Attackers can exploit this weakness by crafting malicious PDF files that, when opened or processed by vulnerable applications, trigger the infinite loop and subsequent stack overflow. This can result in application crashes, system resource exhaustion, and in some cases, may provide a foothold for more sophisticated attacks depending on the execution environment. The vulnerability affects any system that utilizes PoDoFo 0.9.5 for PDF parsing operations, including document management systems, web applications, and security scanning tools that process PDF files.
From an adversarial perspective, this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1499.004, which covers network denial-of-service attacks through resource exhaustion. The vulnerability can be leveraged to consume excessive system resources, effectively creating a denial-of-service condition that impacts legitimate users and services. Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including updating to PoDoFo version 0.9.6 or later, which contains the patched implementation of the PdfParserObject::ParseFileComplete() function. Additionally, deploying input validation controls and implementing sandboxing mechanisms for PDF processing can help reduce the attack surface. Network-level controls such as PDF content filtering and sandboxed processing environments can provide additional layers of defense against exploitation attempts. The vulnerability underscores the importance of robust input validation and defensive programming practices in security-critical libraries and applications that handle untrusted data formats.