CVE-2024-9741 in Power PDF
Summary
by MITRE • 11/23/2024
Tungsten Automation 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 Tungsten Automation 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-24457.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/12/2026
This heap-based buffer overflow vulnerability in Tungsten Automation Power PDF represents a critical remote code execution threat that exploits improper input validation during PDF file parsing operations. The flaw manifests when the application processes user-supplied data without adequate length verification before transferring it to fixed-size heap buffers, creating an exploitable condition where maliciously crafted input can overwrite adjacent memory locations. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-121 heap-based buffer overflow classification, which is a well-documented weakness in memory management practices that has been consistently identified as a high-risk security issue across numerous software applications.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution capabilities to encompass complete system compromise when successfully exploited. Attackers can leverage this weakness through remote delivery methods such as malicious web pages or infected PDF files, requiring only user interaction to initiate the attack vector. The vulnerability's exploitation requires no elevated privileges initially, as the attacker can execute code within the context of the current process, potentially leading to privilege escalation depending on the application's execution environment and user permissions. This makes the vulnerability particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where users may inadvertently access compromised content through normal business operations.
From a threat modeling perspective, this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter and T1203 for exploitation for client execution, as it enables attackers to execute arbitrary code remotely through targeted user interaction. The ZDI-CAN-24457 identifier indicates this vulnerability was properly cataloged within the Zero Day Initiative's database, highlighting its recognition by security researchers and vendors. Security professionals should note that such buffer overflow conditions often provide opportunities for advanced exploitation techniques including return-oriented programming or other code reuse methods that can bypass modern exploit mitigations like stack canaries and address space layout randomization.
Mitigation strategies should focus on immediate patch management to address the underlying parsing logic and implement proper input validation controls. Organizations must ensure all users have updated versions of the software, while network administrators should consider implementing content filtering solutions that can detect and block potentially malicious PDF files. Additional defensive measures include disabling automatic PDF viewing in web browsers, implementing application whitelisting policies, and monitoring for unusual process execution patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability underscores the importance of robust input validation practices and proper memory management in preventing heap-based buffer overflow conditions that remain prevalent across many software applications despite decades of known mitigation techniques.