CVE-2024-27339 in Power PDF
Summary
by MITRE • 04/03/2024
Kofax Power PDF PDF File Parsing Out-Of-Bounds Write 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 PDF files. The issue results from the lack of proper validation of user-supplied data, which can result in a write past the end of an allocated buffer. An attacker can leverage this vulnerability to execute code in the context of the current process. Was ZDI-CAN-22925.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/03/2025
The CVE-2024-27339 vulnerability represents a critical out-of-bounds write flaw in Kofax Power PDF's PDF file parsing functionality that enables remote code execution. This vulnerability resides in the document processing engine responsible for interpreting PDF files, making it a significant threat vector for attackers seeking to compromise systems running this software. The flaw specifically manifests during the parsing phase when the application fails to properly validate user-supplied data, creating an exploitable condition that can be leveraged remotely without requiring administrative privileges.
This vulnerability operates under the Common Weakness Enumeration category CWE-787, which defines out-of-bounds write conditions that occur when a program writes data past the end of a buffer allocated for storage. The technical implementation involves improper input validation during PDF file processing where the application does not adequately check array indices or buffer boundaries before performing write operations. When a malicious PDF file is processed, the parser attempts to write data beyond allocated memory boundaries, potentially overwriting adjacent memory regions and allowing an attacker to manipulate program execution flow. The vulnerability requires user interaction to exploit, meaning a target must either visit a malicious webpage hosting the exploit or open a specially crafted PDF file, making it particularly dangerous in phishing scenarios or targeted attacks.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution, as it provides attackers with the ability to operate within the security context of the current process, potentially escalating privileges or accessing sensitive data. Attackers can leverage this condition to inject malicious code that executes with the same privileges as the Kofax Power PDF application, which typically runs with elevated permissions on the target system. The remote exploitation capability means that attackers can deploy this vulnerability from anywhere on the internet without requiring physical access to the target machine. The vulnerability's classification under the ATT&CK framework places it within the execution and privilege escalation domains, specifically mapping to techniques such as malicious file execution and process injection.
Mitigation strategies should focus on immediate patch management, as vendors have released updates addressing this specific vulnerability. Organizations should implement network segmentation to limit exposure, deploy web application firewalls to filter malicious content, and establish strict email filtering policies to prevent users from accessing potentially harmful PDF attachments. Additional protective measures include disabling automatic PDF preview in web browsers, implementing sandboxing for PDF processing, and conducting regular security assessments to identify systems running vulnerable versions of Kofax Power PDF. The vulnerability's nature makes it particularly susceptible to automated exploitation, emphasizing the importance of rapid remediation and continuous monitoring for signs of compromise. Security teams should also consider implementing endpoint detection and response solutions that can identify anomalous behavior patterns associated with exploitation attempts, as the out-of-bounds write condition may generate detectable artifacts in system memory or network traffic.