CVE-2023-37347 in Power PDF
Summary
by MITRE • 05/04/2024
Kofax Power PDF U3D File Parsing Out-Of-Bounds Read Remote Code Execution Vulnerability. This vulnerability allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code on affected installations of Kofax Power PDF. 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. The issue results from the lack of proper validation of user-supplied data, which can result in a read past the end of an allocated object. An attacker can leverage this vulnerability to execute code in the context of the current process. Was ZDI-CAN-20444.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/07/2025
The CVE-2023-37347 vulnerability represents a critical out-of-bounds read flaw in Kofax Power PDF's handling of U3D files, which are three-dimensional graphics formats commonly used in document processing and visualization. This vulnerability falls under the CWE-125 weakness category, specifically addressing out-of-bounds read conditions that occur when a program attempts to access memory beyond the boundaries of allocated buffers. The flaw manifests during the parsing process of U3D files, where the application fails to properly validate user-supplied data before processing it, creating an exploitable condition that can be leveraged for remote code execution.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability requires an attacker to craft a malicious U3D file that triggers the out-of-bounds read condition when processed by the vulnerable Kofax Power PDF application. This type of vulnerability maps directly to ATT&CK technique T1203, which involves exploiting software flaws to gain remote code execution capabilities. The vulnerability exists because the parsing logic does not perform adequate bounds checking on the U3D file structure, allowing an attacker to manipulate the file's internal data structures in such a way that when the parser attempts to read beyond the allocated memory boundaries, it can be coerced into executing arbitrary code within the context of the running application process. The attacker's control over the execution flow is achieved through careful manipulation of the U3D file's metadata and structural elements that are processed without proper validation.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant as it enables remote code execution without requiring administrative privileges, making it particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where users may encounter malicious documents through email attachments, web downloads, or compromised websites. The requirement for user interaction through visiting a malicious page or opening a malicious file aligns with the ATT&CK technique T1566, which focuses on social engineering and initial access vectors. This vulnerability affects all versions of Kofax Power PDF that handle U3D file parsing, potentially exposing organizations to persistent threats where attackers can establish footholds in networks through seemingly innocuous document interactions. The remote code execution capability allows attackers to install malware, establish backdoors, or perform further reconnaissance within the compromised system.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2023-37347 should focus on immediate patch deployment from Kofax, as this represents a critical vulnerability that requires vendor-provided fixes. Organizations should implement network-level controls such as web application firewalls and content filtering to block access to known malicious U3D files and suspicious document downloads. Additionally, user education programs should emphasize the dangers of opening unexpected document attachments or visiting untrusted websites that may contain malicious U3D files. Security teams should also consider implementing application whitelisting policies that restrict the execution of potentially vulnerable software, while monitoring for unusual file processing activities that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability's classification as a remote code execution flaw necessitates comprehensive incident response planning to address potential compromise scenarios, with particular attention to monitoring for unauthorized software installations or unusual network connections that could indicate successful exploitation of this vulnerability.