CVE-2023-3436:Xpdf 4.04 deadlock vulnerability when processing PDF object streams with nested "Length" fields.

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Description Preview

Xpdf 4.04 contains a deadlock vulnerability (CWE-667) that occurs when processing PDF files containing object streams where the "Length" field of one object stream is defined within another object stream. This creates a circular dependency that causes the application to enter a deadlock state, making it unresponsive and potentially leading to denial of service.

Overview

This vulnerability affects Xpdf version 4.04, a popular open-source PDF document viewer and toolkit. The issue occurs specifically when parsing PDF object streams with a particular structure. When Xpdf encounters a PDF object stream whose "Length" field is itself contained within another object stream, it creates a circular dependency. The application attempts to read the first object stream but needs to know its length, which requires reading the second object stream, creating a deadlock condition. This vulnerability could be exploited by an attacker to cause denial of service by crafting a malicious PDF file that triggers this condition, causing Xpdf to become unresponsive.

Remediation

Users and administrators should take the following actions to mitigate this vulnerability:

  1. Update to a newer version of Xpdf if available that addresses this issue.
  2. If updating is not immediately possible, implement input validation to check for potentially malicious PDF files before processing them with Xpdf.
  3. Consider using alternative PDF processing tools until a patched version is available.
  4. Implement resource limits and timeouts when using Xpdf to process PDF files from untrusted sources to prevent extended denial of service.
  5. Monitor system resources when processing PDF files to detect potential deadlock situations.

References

  1. Xpdf Forum Issue Tracking: https://forum.xpdfreader.com/viewtopic.php?t=42618
  2. CWE-667: Improper Locking: https://cwe.mitre.org/data/definitions/667.html
  3. CVE-2023-3436 in the National Vulnerability Database
  4. Xpdf official website: https://www.xpdfreader.com/

Industry ExposureMost to least
This section illustrates the prevalence of a specific Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures (CVE) across various industries based on customer reports. The ranking displays industries from the most to least affected by this particular vulnerability, offering valuable insight into where this CVE has been most frequently observed. This information can help organizations within these sectors prioritize their security efforts, understand their relative risk exposure compared to their peers, and focus remediation strategies where they are most needed. By understanding the industry-specific impact, organizations can make more informed decisions regarding patching, resource allocation, and overall risk management related to this CVE.

  1. Transportation & Warehousing
    Transportation & Warehousing
  2. Accommodation & Food Services
    Accommodation & Food Services
  3. Administrative, Support, Waste Management & Remediation Services
    Administrative, Support, Waste Management & Remediation Services
  4. Agriculture, Forestry Fishing & Hunting
    Agriculture, Forestry Fishing & Hunting
  5. Arts, Entertainment & Recreation
    Arts, Entertainment & Recreation
  6. Construction
    Construction
  7. Educational Services
    Educational Services
  8. Finance and Insurance
    Finance and Insurance
  9. Health Care & Social Assistance
    Health Care & Social Assistance
  10. Information
    Information
  11. Management of Companies & Enterprises
    Management of Companies & Enterprises
  12. Manufacturing
    Manufacturing
  13. Mining
    Mining
  14. Other Services (except Public Administration)
    Other Services (except Public Administration)
  15. Professional, Scientific, & Technical Services
    Professional, Scientific, & Technical Services
  16. Public Administration
    Public Administration
  17. Real Estate Rental & Leasing
    Real Estate Rental & Leasing
  18. Retail Trade
    Retail Trade
  19. Utilities
    Utilities
  20. Wholesale Trade
    Wholesale Trade

Focus on What Matters

  1. See Everything.
  2. Identify True Risk.
  3. Proactively Mitigate Threats.

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