CVE-2024-27341 in Power PDF
Summary
by MITRE • 04/03/2024
Kofax Power PDF PDF File Parsing Heap-based Buffer Overflow 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 the length of user-supplied data prior to copying it to a fixed-length heap-based buffer. An attacker can leverage this vulnerability to execute code in the context of the current process. Was ZDI-CAN-22927.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/03/2025
The vulnerability CVE-2024-27341 represents a critical heap-based buffer overflow in Kofax Power PDF software that enables remote code execution through PDF file parsing operations. This flaw resides in the software's handling of user-supplied PDF content where insufficient input validation leads to memory corruption during data copying operations. The vulnerability specifically affects the heap-based buffer management within the PDF parsing engine, creating a condition where attacker-controlled data can overwrite adjacent memory regions. The issue manifests when the application processes malformed PDF files that contain oversized data structures, causing the buffer overflow to occur in memory allocated on the heap rather than the stack. This type of vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it can be exploited remotely without requiring local system access, making it a significant threat to organizations that process PDF documents from untrusted sources.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper bounds checking during PDF file parsing operations. When Kofax Power PDF encounters a PDF document, it attempts to parse various elements including object structures, streams, and metadata fields. The flaw occurs in the memory allocation and copying logic where the application fails to validate the actual length of incoming data against the predetermined buffer size. This allows an attacker to craft a malicious PDF file containing oversized data fields that exceed the allocated buffer boundaries. The CWE-121 classification applies here as the vulnerability involves a classic heap-based buffer overflow where insufficient bounds checking permits data to overwrite adjacent heap memory. The vulnerability's exploitation requires user interaction through either visiting a malicious webpage that hosts the crafted PDF or opening the malicious file directly, making it a client-side attack vector that leverages social engineering techniques. The attack surface is particularly broad given PDF files are commonly shared across networks and email systems.
The operational impact of CVE-2024-27341 extends beyond simple code execution to potentially compromise entire system infrastructures. When successfully exploited, the vulnerability allows attackers to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the affected application process, which typically runs with elevated permissions. This can result in complete system compromise, data exfiltration, or establishment of persistent backdoors within organizational networks. The attack can be delivered through multiple vectors including web-based exploitation, email attachments, or file sharing platforms where PDF documents are commonly exchanged. Organizations using Kofax Power PDF in enterprise environments face heightened risk since these systems often process documents from diverse external sources without adequate sandboxing or content filtering. The vulnerability's remote exploitability means that attackers can target users across different geographical locations without requiring physical access to the target systems. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to T1203 (Exploitation for Client Execution) and T1059 (Command and Scripting Interpreter) tactics, representing the exploitation of client-side applications to achieve remote code execution.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2024-27341 should focus on immediate patch management and operational security improvements. Organizations must prioritize applying vendor-provided security updates as soon as they become available, since Kofax has released patches to address the heap-based buffer overflow. Network administrators should implement content filtering solutions that scan PDF files for suspicious structures and malformed data patterns, particularly focusing on oversized object definitions and unusual stream constructions. The principle of least privilege should be enforced by running Kofax Power PDF applications with reduced system privileges and implementing application whitelisting policies to prevent unauthorized execution. Security monitoring should include detection of unusual PDF processing activities, particularly those involving large data structures or repeated parsing attempts that might indicate exploitation attempts. Additional protective measures include implementing sandboxing techniques for PDF document processing, disabling unnecessary PDF features, and establishing secure document handling procedures that limit exposure to untrusted content. Organizations should also conduct regular vulnerability assessments and penetration testing to identify similar flaws in other PDF processing applications and ensure comprehensive security coverage across their document processing infrastructure.