CVE-2022-42401 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 PDF files. Crafted data in a PDF 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-18533.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/29/2025
CVE-2022-42401 represents a critical buffer overread vulnerability within PDF-XChange Editor that exposes systems to remote information disclosure and potential code execution attacks. This vulnerability resides in the PDF file parsing component of the software, specifically when processing malformed PDF content. The flaw manifests when the application attempts to read data beyond the boundaries of an allocated memory buffer during PDF file analysis, creating a condition where adjacent memory contents become accessible to attackers. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-125, which describes out-of-bounds read conditions that can lead to information disclosure and potentially more severe exploitation vectors. The vulnerability requires user interaction to be exploited, meaning attackers must convince victims to visit malicious web pages or open specially crafted PDF files containing the malicious payload. This attack vector aligns with ATT&CK technique T1203, which involves gaining access to systems through user interaction with malicious content, often via phishing or web-based attacks. The buffer overread condition creates a pathway for attackers to extract sensitive information from memory, potentially including credentials, session tokens, or other confidential data stored in adjacent memory locations. When combined with other vulnerabilities present in the same application or system, this flaw can serve as a critical component in a multi-stage attack chain that ultimately enables arbitrary code execution within the context of the currently running process, making it particularly dangerous for enterprise environments. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond simple information disclosure as it can provide attackers with the foundation for more sophisticated attacks, including privilege escalation and persistent access to compromised systems. The nature of PDF processing makes this vulnerability particularly concerning given the widespread use of PDF files in business and government environments where users frequently open documents from untrusted sources. This vulnerability demonstrates the inherent risks associated with complex document processing applications and highlights the importance of robust input validation and memory safety mechanisms in software development. Organizations using PDF-XChange Editor should consider immediate mitigation strategies including application whitelisting, network-based restrictions, and user education to reduce the attack surface. The vulnerability also underscores the necessity of regular security updates and patch management processes, as this type of memory safety issue is often preventable through proper code review and defensive programming practices. In enterprise environments, this vulnerability could enable attackers to gain initial access to sensitive information systems, potentially leading to broader compromise of network infrastructure and data repositories. The combination of remote exploitability and the requirement for user interaction makes this vulnerability particularly challenging to defend against, as it requires both technical controls and user awareness training to effectively mitigate the risk.