CVE-2022-42369 in PDF-XChange Editor
Summary
by MITRE • 01/26/2023
This vulnerability allows remote attackers to disclose sensitive information 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 in conjunction with other vulnerabilities to execute arbitrary code in the context of the current process. Was ZDI-CAN-18344.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/29/2025
CVE-2022-42369 represents a critical buffer over-read vulnerability affecting PDF-XChange Editor software that falls under the Common Weakness Enumeration category CWE-125, which specifically addresses out-of-bounds read conditions. This vulnerability exists within the Universal 3D file parsing functionality of the application, where crafted malicious data within U3D files can cause the software to read memory beyond the boundaries of allocated buffer space. The flaw manifests when the application processes malformed U3D files that contain specially constructed data structures designed to trigger memory access violations. The vulnerability requires user interaction to be exploited, meaning that targets must either visit a malicious webpage hosting the crafted U3D file or directly open the malicious file within the PDF-XChange Editor application. This attack vector aligns with ATT&CK technique T1203, which involves exploiting software vulnerabilities to gain unauthorized access and execute arbitrary code. The buffer over-read condition creates a potential for information disclosure, as the application may expose sensitive memory contents including stack data, heap information, or other process memory that could contain credentials, encryption keys, or other confidential data. Furthermore, the vulnerability's potential for arbitrary code execution makes it particularly dangerous as attackers could leverage this weakness as a stepping stone for more sophisticated attacks. The exploitation chain typically begins with delivering the malicious U3D file through social engineering tactics such as phishing emails or compromised websites, followed by successful buffer over-read execution that could lead to complete system compromise. The vulnerability's impact is significant given PDF-XChange Editor's widespread use in enterprise environments and its role in processing various document formats, making it an attractive target for threat actors seeking persistent access to organizational networks. Organizations using this software should immediately apply vendor patches and consider implementing network-based controls to block malicious U3D file content from entering their environments, as the vulnerability's remote exploitation capability makes it particularly challenging to defend against without proper mitigation strategies. The flaw's classification as a remote code execution vulnerability with information disclosure potential places it within the high-risk category of cybersecurity threats that require immediate attention and remediation to prevent potential compromise of sensitive organizational data and systems.