CVE-2024-27343 in Power PDF
Summary
by MITRE • 04/03/2024
Kofax Power PDF PDF File Parsing Out-Of-Bounds Read Information Disclosure Vulnerability. This vulnerability allows remote attackers to disclose sensitive information 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 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-22929.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/03/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-27343 represents a critical information disclosure flaw within Kofax Power PDF's PDF file parsing functionality. This issue stems from insufficient input validation mechanisms that fail to properly sanitize user-supplied data during the processing of PDF documents. The vulnerability manifests as an out-of-bounds read condition that occurs when the application attempts to parse malformed or maliciously constructed PDF files. Attackers can exploit this weakness by crafting specially designed PDF content that triggers the vulnerable parsing routine, leading to unauthorized data exposure from memory regions beyond the intended object boundaries.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-125, which describes out-of-bounds read conditions where programs access memory locations beyond allocated buffers. The flaw specifically impacts the PDF parsing engine's handling of structured data elements within PDF files, particularly when encountering irregular or malformed content that exceeds expected parameter limits. When the parser attempts to read beyond the allocated memory space, it may inadvertently expose sensitive information from adjacent memory locations, including potentially confidential data, application state information, or even cryptographic keys that might be stored in nearby memory segments. This type of information disclosure can provide attackers with valuable insights into the application's internal workings and system configuration.
The operational impact of CVE-2024-27343 extends beyond simple information exposure, as it creates a potential pathway for more sophisticated attacks within the context of the ATT&CK framework's initial access and execution phases. While the immediate effect is information disclosure, the vulnerability's presence creates opportunities for attackers to gather intelligence that could be leveraged in subsequent exploitation attempts. The requirement for user interaction through visiting malicious web pages or opening infected files aligns with ATT&CK technique T1203 (Exploitation for Client Execution) and T1059 (Command and Scripting Interpreter) as attackers must first establish a foothold through social engineering or drive-by downloads before potentially escalating privileges. The vulnerability's remote exploitability makes it particularly dangerous in environments where users frequently access external content or where automated PDF processing is common.
Security mitigations for this vulnerability should focus on implementing comprehensive input validation mechanisms within the PDF parsing component. Organizations should immediately apply vendor-provided patches or updates that address the specific out-of-bounds read condition in Kofax Power PDF's processing engine. Additionally, network-level controls such as web application firewalls and content filtering systems can help detect and block malicious PDF content before it reaches end users. Implementing principle of least privilege access controls for PDF processing applications and regular security assessments of document handling systems will further reduce the attack surface. The vulnerability's classification as a remote information disclosure makes proactive monitoring and timely patch management essential components of any effective defense strategy. Organizations should also consider implementing sandboxing mechanisms for PDF processing to contain potential exploitation attempts and limit the impact of successful attacks.