CVE-2024-27324 in PDF-XChange Editor
Summary
by MITRE • 04/02/2024
PDF-XChange Editor TIF File Parsing Out-Of-Bounds Read Information Disclosure Vulnerability. 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 TIF 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 in conjunction with other vulnerabilities to execute arbitrary code in the context of the current process. Was ZDI-CAN-22270.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/18/2025
The CVE-2024-27324 vulnerability represents a critical out-of-bounds read flaw within PDF-XChange Editor's handling of TIF file formats, classified under CWE-125 as an "Out-of-bounds Read" vulnerability. This security weakness specifically manifests during the parsing of TIF image files, where the software fails to properly validate user-supplied data before processing. The vulnerability resides in the memory management routines that handle TIF file structures, creating a scenario where an attacker can manipulate input data to cause the application to read memory locations beyond the allocated buffer boundaries. This particular flaw is particularly concerning because it operates within a widely-used document editing application that processes various file formats, making it a prime target for exploitation in real-world scenarios.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure to potentially enable arbitrary code execution, as indicated by the exploitation chain that can be leveraged by attackers. When an attacker crafts a malicious TIF file, the PDF-XChange Editor application will attempt to parse the file contents without adequate boundary checks, leading to memory access violations that can be exploited to read sensitive data from adjacent memory locations. This could include stack contents, heap data, or even sensitive application memory that may contain credentials, encryption keys, or other confidential information. The vulnerability's classification within the ATT&CK framework aligns with techniques such as T1059.007 for Command and Scripting Interpreter and T1566 for Phishing, as attackers would typically deliver malicious TIF files through social engineering campaigns or compromised web pages to trigger the vulnerable parsing routine.
The exploitation of this vulnerability requires user interaction, making it a client-side attack vector that relies on social engineering to succeed. An attacker would need to convince a user to open a malicious TIF file or visit a web page containing embedded malicious TIF content, which would then trigger the vulnerable code path during file processing. This requirement for user interaction does not diminish the severity of the vulnerability, as modern users frequently encounter and open various file types from untrusted sources. The vulnerability's potential for remote code execution through the combination with other exploitation techniques makes it particularly dangerous in targeted attack scenarios where attackers can leverage multiple vulnerabilities to establish persistent access to affected systems. Organizations using PDF-XChange Editor should immediately implement mitigations including application whitelisting, network-based restrictions on file type handling, and user education to prevent accidental exploitation of this vulnerability.