CVE-2024-27344 in Power PDF
Summary
by MITRE • 04/03/2024
Kofax Power PDF PDF File Parsing Memory Corruption 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 memory corruption condition. An attacker can leverage this vulnerability to execute code in the context of the current process. Was ZDI-CAN-22931.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/03/2025
The CVE-2024-27344 vulnerability represents a critical memory corruption flaw in Kofax Power PDF software that enables remote code execution through improper handling of PDF file parsing operations. This vulnerability resides in the core document processing engine responsible for interpreting PDF content, making it a prime target for attackers seeking to compromise systems through malicious document delivery. The flaw specifically manifests during the parsing phase when the application fails to adequately validate user-supplied data inputs, creating a condition where malformed or specially crafted PDF content can trigger memory corruption behaviors that adversaries can exploit for unauthorized code execution.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability follows a classic memory corruption pattern where insufficient input validation allows attackers to manipulate the application's memory structures during PDF processing. When a user opens a maliciously crafted PDF file or visits a webpage hosting such content, the Power PDF application attempts to parse the document structure without proper boundary checks or data sanitization. This lack of validation creates opportunities for buffer overflows, heap corruption, or other memory manipulation conditions that can be leveraged to redirect program execution flow. The vulnerability operates at the application layer where PDF parsing libraries interact with system memory, making it particularly dangerous as it can be triggered through multiple attack vectors including web browsing, email attachments, or file sharing scenarios.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution to encompass complete system compromise potential, as successful exploitation can allow attackers to gain persistent access to target systems. The requirement for user interaction creates a realistic attack scenario where social engineering campaigns can effectively deliver malicious PDF content through phishing emails, compromised websites, or malicious file sharing platforms. This vulnerability directly maps to CWE-125, which describes out-of-bounds read conditions, and CWE-787, which covers out-of-bounds write operations, both of which are common manifestations of memory corruption vulnerabilities in document parsing libraries. The attack surface is significantly broadened by the widespread use of PDF viewers and the common practice of opening documents from untrusted sources.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on immediate patch deployment and operational security improvements to reduce exploitation risk. Organizations must prioritize updating to the latest Kofax Power PDF versions that contain the necessary fixes for the memory validation issues. Network-based defenses can include implementing PDF file content filtering and sandboxing solutions that isolate PDF processing from core system resources. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1203, which covers exploitation for execution, and T1068, which addresses local privilege escalation opportunities that may arise from successful exploitation. Additional defensive measures should include user education about avoiding suspicious PDF files, implementing strict access controls for PDF processing applications, and establishing monitoring procedures for unusual PDF processing activities that might indicate exploitation attempts. Security teams should also consider deploying endpoint protection solutions with behavioral monitoring capabilities that can detect anomalous PDF parsing activities indicative of exploitation attempts.