CVE-2022-42404 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 EMF files. Crafted data in an EMF 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-18273.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/29/2025
CVE-2022-42404 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 software's handling of Enhanced Metafile (EMF) files, specifically during the parsing process where crafted malicious data can cause the application to read past the end of an allocated buffer. The flaw manifests when the application processes specially constructed EMF files that contain malformed data structures designed to trigger memory access violations. The vulnerability requires user interaction to be exploited successfully, meaning that an attacker must convince a target to visit a malicious webpage or open a malicious file containing the crafted EMF content. This user interaction requirement aligns with common attack vectors in the cybersecurity landscape where social engineering plays a crucial role in successful exploitation attempts.
The technical nature of this vulnerability places it firmly within CWE-125, which describes "Out-of-bounds Read" conditions where programs access memory locations beyond the boundaries of allocated buffers. This type of vulnerability typically occurs when input validation is insufficient and buffer boundaries are not properly checked during file parsing operations. The impact extends beyond simple information disclosure to potentially enable arbitrary code execution in the context of the current process, representing a significant security risk for organizations relying on PDF-XChange Editor for document processing. When an attacker successfully exploits this vulnerability, they can potentially execute malicious code with the privileges of the running application, which often operates with elevated permissions depending on the system configuration.
The operational impact of CVE-2022-42404 affects organizations that use PDF-XChange Editor in their document management workflows, particularly those that process untrusted documents or receive files from external sources. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to gain unauthorized access to sensitive information stored within the application's memory space, potentially including user credentials, document contents, or system configuration details. The vulnerability's classification as a remote attack vector means that threat actors can exploit it without requiring physical access to target systems, making it particularly dangerous in enterprise environments. The combination of information disclosure and potential code execution capabilities creates a pathway for attackers to escalate privileges, establish persistent access, or move laterally within compromised networks. This vulnerability also demonstrates the broader risk associated with rich media file processing applications that must handle complex binary formats like EMF files, which often contain intricate data structures that require robust validation mechanisms.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including updating to patched versions of PDF-XChange Editor, implementing network segmentation to limit exposure, and deploying web application firewalls to block malicious content. The vulnerability's exploitation requires user interaction, so security awareness training becomes crucial in preventing successful attacks. Additionally, organizations should consider restricting file type processing capabilities and implementing strict input validation for all file formats processed by the application. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under T1059.007 for "Command and Scripting Interpreter: PowerShell" and T1203 for "Exploitation for Client Execution" when considering the potential attack paths that could leverage this weakness. Regular security assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other document processing applications within the organization's attack surface.