CVE-2020-6074 in Nitro Pro
Summary
by MITRE
An exploitable code execution vulnerability exists in the PDF parser of Nitro Pro 13.9.1.155. A specially crafted PDF document can cause a use-after-free which can lead to remote code execution. An attacker can provide a malicious file to trigger this vulnerability.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/19/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2020-6074 represents a critical code execution flaw within Nitro Pro 13.9.1.155's PDF parsing functionality. This issue stems from improper memory management during PDF document processing, specifically manifesting as a use-after-free condition that can be exploited remotely. The vulnerability exists in the software's handling of malformed PDF files, where the application fails to properly validate and manage memory references during document parsing operations.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through a carefully crafted malicious PDF file that triggers a use-after-free condition in the Nitro Pro application's memory management system. When the application processes this specially constructed document, it attempts to access memory locations that have already been freed or reallocated, creating an opportunity for attackers to manipulate program execution flow. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-416, which specifically addresses use-after-free conditions in software applications. The flaw demonstrates a classic memory safety issue where the application does not properly track object lifetimes or validate memory access patterns during PDF parsing operations.
The operational impact of CVE-2020-6074 extends beyond simple remote code execution capabilities, as it represents a complete compromise vector for attackers seeking to infiltrate systems running vulnerable Nitro Pro versions. An attacker could deliver a malicious PDF through various attack vectors including email attachments, web downloads, or compromised websites, making this vulnerability particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where PDF processing is common. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007, which covers scripting languages and command execution through PDF documents, and T1203, which involves exploitation of remote services through malicious file delivery.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate patching of Nitro Pro installations to version 13.9.1.156 or later, which contains the necessary memory management fixes to prevent the use-after-free condition. Organizations should also implement network-based protections such as PDF content filtering and sandboxing solutions to prevent potentially malicious documents from reaching end-user systems. Additional defensive measures include restricting user permissions for PDF processing applications, implementing strict file type validation, and deploying endpoint protection solutions that can detect anomalous behavior patterns associated with memory corruption exploits. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper memory management in document processing applications and highlights the need for comprehensive security testing of parsing libraries within enterprise software suites.