CVE-2022-42391 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-18660.
If you want to get best quality of vulnerability data, you may have to visit VulDB.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/29/2025
CVE-2022-42391 represents a critical buffer overflow vulnerability affecting PDF-XChange Editor software that enables remote information disclosure and potential arbitrary code execution. This vulnerability resides within the Universal 3D file parsing functionality, specifically when processing crafted U3D files that contain malformed data structures. The flaw manifests as a read past the end of an allocated buffer, a condition that occurs when the application attempts to access memory locations beyond the boundaries of allocated memory blocks during U3D file parsing operations. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-125, which describes out-of-bounds read conditions that can lead to information disclosure and system compromise.
The exploitation of this vulnerability requires user interaction through either visiting a malicious webpage that loads a crafted U3D file or opening a malicious file directly within the PDF-XChange Editor application. This user interaction requirement aligns with ATT&CK technique T1203, which involves gaining access through user interaction with malicious content. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond simple information disclosure to potentially enable arbitrary code execution in the context of the current process, making it particularly dangerous for targeted attacks against unsuspecting users.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability creates significant risk for organizations that rely on PDF-XChange Editor for document processing and viewing. The buffer overflow can lead to memory corruption that may be exploited to execute malicious code with the privileges of the affected application. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability as part of a broader attack chain, potentially combining it with other exploits to achieve persistent access or escalate privileges within the target environment. The fact that this vulnerability affects a widely used PDF editing tool increases its potential impact across various industries including finance, healthcare, and government sectors.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including updating to the latest version of PDF-XChange Editor that addresses this vulnerability, implementing network-based protections such as web application firewalls to block malicious U3D file content, and educating users about the risks of opening untrusted files. The vulnerability's classification as a remote code execution risk necessitates comprehensive security measures including network segmentation, endpoint protection solutions, and regular security assessments. Additionally, security teams should monitor for indicators of compromise related to this vulnerability and consider implementing exploit prevention measures that restrict the execution of potentially malicious content within the application environment.