CVE-2022-41150 in PDF-XChange Editor
Summary
by MITRE • 01/26/2023
This vulnerability allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code on affected installations of PDF-XChange Editor. User interaction is required to exploit this vulnerability in that the target must visit a malicious page or open a malicious file. The specific flaw exists within the parsing of U3D files. Crafted data in a U3D file can trigger a read past the end of an allocated buffer. An attacker can leverage this vulnerability to execute code in the context of the current process. Was ZDI-CAN-18340.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/29/2026
CVE-2022-41150 represents a critical buffer overflow vulnerability within PDF-XChange Editor that enables remote code execution through malicious U3D file manipulation. This vulnerability resides in the software's handling of Universal 3D (U3D) file format parsing, which is commonly used for 3D graphics within PDF documents. The flaw manifests when the application processes crafted U3D data that causes a read past the end of an allocated buffer, creating a condition where adjacent memory regions can be accessed and potentially modified. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-125, known as "Out-of-bounds Read," which is classified as a memory safety error that can lead to arbitrary code execution when exploited properly. The vulnerability requires user interaction to be exploited effectively, meaning that a victim must either visit a malicious webpage hosting the crafted U3D file or open a malicious PDF document containing such content. This user interaction requirement aligns with ATT&CK technique T1203, which describes the exploitation of software vulnerabilities through user engagement with malicious content. The impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple memory corruption, as successful exploitation allows an attacker to execute arbitrary code within the context of the current process, potentially gaining full system control. When an attacker successfully triggers this buffer overflow, they can manipulate the program's execution flow by overwriting critical memory locations, potentially leading to privilege escalation if the application runs with elevated permissions. The vulnerability's exploitation pathway demonstrates the dangerous intersection of 3D graphics processing and memory safety, as U3D files contain complex data structures that, when improperly validated, can serve as attack vectors for sophisticated code injection. This vulnerability affects not only individual users but also organizations that rely on PDF-XChange Editor for document processing, as the attack surface expands to include web-based delivery mechanisms where users might encounter malicious content without proper security awareness. The specific nature of this flaw in the U3D parsing component suggests that the application lacks proper bounds checking mechanisms when processing the binary data structure of U3D files, which typically contain embedded 3D models, textures, and animation data that require careful memory management during parsing. Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including disabling U3D file processing within PDF-XChange Editor, updating to patched versions, and deploying network-based intrusion detection systems to monitor for exploitation attempts. Additionally, user education regarding the dangers of opening untrusted PDF documents and the importance of keeping software updated remains crucial in defending against this type of vulnerability that relies on social engineering aspects for successful exploitation. The vulnerability's classification as a remote code execution flaw underscores the need for comprehensive security measures that address both network-based and endpoint-based threats, as attackers can leverage this vulnerability from remote locations without requiring physical access to target systems.