CVE-2019-5046 in NitroPDF
Summary
by MITRE
A specifically crafted jpeg2000 file embedded in a PDF file can lead to a heap corruption when opening a PDF document in NitroPDF 12.12.1.522. With careful memory manipulation, this can lead to arbitrary code execution. In order to trigger this vulnerability, the victim would need to open the malicious file.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/07/2024
This vulnerability represents a critical heap corruption flaw in NitroPDF version 12.12.1.522 that arises from improper handling of maliciously crafted jpeg2000 image data embedded within PDF documents. The issue stems from insufficient input validation and memory management during the parsing of embedded image components, creating a pathway for remote code execution through carefully constructed malicious files. The vulnerability operates at the intersection of image processing and document rendering, where the PDF viewer fails to properly sanitize jpeg2000 data streams before attempting to decode and render them within the document context.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves a heap-based buffer overflow condition that occurs when NitroPDF processes malformed jpeg2000 data structures embedded in PDF files. When the application attempts to decode the malicious image data, it allocates memory based on incorrect size calculations derived from the malformed jpeg2000 headers. This memory corruption manifests as heap corruption that can be strategically manipulated to overwrite critical memory locations, potentially including return addresses or function pointers within the application's execution context. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-122 Heap-based Buffer Overflow, which specifically addresses buffer overflows that occur in heap memory regions and can lead to arbitrary code execution.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple document rendering failures, as it provides attackers with a potential means for remote code execution on victim systems. The attack requires social engineering to convince users to open the malicious PDF document, but once executed, the vulnerability can be exploited to gain full control over the affected system. The attack vector is particularly concerning because it leverages the common practice of opening PDF documents containing embedded images, making it difficult for users to distinguish between legitimate and malicious content. This vulnerability demonstrates how image processing components within document viewers can serve as attack surfaces for privilege escalation and system compromise.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate patching of NitroPDF installations to the latest versions that contain memory safety improvements and input validation fixes. Organizations should implement strict document filtering policies that scan for potentially malicious embedded content, particularly jpeg2000 images, before allowing documents to be processed by PDF viewers. The implementation of sandboxing mechanisms around document processing can provide additional protection layers, isolating the PDF rendering process from critical system resources. Security teams should also consider implementing network-based intrusion detection systems that can identify and block known malicious PDF patterns. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to technique T1203 Exploitation for Client Execution, where adversaries leverage application vulnerabilities to execute code on target systems. Additionally, the vulnerability demonstrates the importance of defense-in-depth strategies, as it highlights how seemingly benign document components can serve as attack vectors for sophisticated exploitation techniques.