# CVE-2016-8729: Memory corruption in MuPDF

> A memory corruption vulnerability in the JBIG2 parser allows attackers to execute arbitrary code via a specially crafted PDF file.

- **Severity:** High 7.5 (`CVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H`)
- **Exploited in the wild:** Not known
- **Login needed:** Not needed
- **Attackable:** Over the internet
- **Victim action needed:** A user has to click or open something
- **Fix available:** Yes
- **Published:** 24 Apr 2018
- **Updated:** 16 Sep 2024
- **Also known as:** DEBIAN-CVE-2016-8729, GHSA-2cj5-5xv9-px48, UBUNTU-CVE-2016-8729

## What is CVE-2016-8729?

CVE-2016-8729 is a high-severity memory corruption vulnerability in Artifex Mupdf, published on 24 Apr 2018. An attacker can exploit it over the internet without logging in, and only if a user opens a file or follows a link.

### Official description

An exploitable memory corruption vulnerability exists in the JBIG2 parser of Artifex MuPDF 1.9. A specially crafted PDF can cause a negative number to be passed to a memset resulting in memory corruption and potential code execution. An attacker can specially craft a PDF and send to the victim to trigger this vulnerability.

Weakness: CWE-119 (Improper Restriction of Operations within the Bounds of a Memory Buffer)

## Which versions are affected by CVE-2016-8729?

It affects 1 product.


Products: Artifex Mupdf.

## How do I fix CVE-2016-8729?

Upgrade to a fixed version.

## Is CVE-2016-8729 being exploited?

There is no known exploitation of CVE-2016-8729 in the wild and no public exploit code.

## Other vulnerabilities in Artifex Mupdf

- [CVE-2019-7321](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2019-7321/): Memory corruption in n/a (critical 9.8)
- [CVE-2016-6525](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2016-6525/): Memory corruption in n/a (critical 9.8)
- [CVE-2011-0341](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2011-0341/): Memory corruption in n/a (critical 9.3)
- [CVE-2016-8728](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2016-8728/): Memory corruption in MuPDF (high 8.6)
- [CVE-2021-3407](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2021-3407/): Use after free in mupdf (high 7.8)

## Fix prompt for AI coding agents

```text
Check this codebase for CVE-2016-8729 and fix it if it is affected.

What it is: CVE-2016-8729 is a high-severity memory corruption vulnerability in Artifex Mupdf, published on 24 Apr 2018. An attacker can exploit it over the internet without logging in, and only if a user opens a file or follows a link.
Exploitation: There is no known exploitation of CVE-2016-8729 in the wild and no public exploit code.

Affected product: Artifex Mupdf. No package-level version data is available, so check the vendor advisory linked from the reference page.

Task:
1. Search the dependency manifests and lockfiles (for example package.json, package-lock.json, requirements.txt, poetry.lock, uv.lock, pom.xml, build.gradle, go.mod, Cargo.lock, Gemfile.lock) and any Dockerfiles for the affected packages, including transitive dependencies.
2. If an affected version is in use, upgrade it to the fixed version for its release line with the project's package manager, so the lockfile is regenerated. Prefer the smallest upgrade that fixes it.
3. If there is no fix, or the upgrade would break the build, do not guess: explain the risk and the safest workaround instead.
4. Run the tests and summarise what changed and why.
5. If nothing in the project is affected, say so and change nothing.

Reference: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2016-8729/ (Markdown: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2016-8729/index.md)
```

## Sources

- CVE record: https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2016-8729
- NVD: https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2016-8729
- OSV: https://osv.dev/vulnerability/CVE-2016-8729

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From sbomify Insights: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2016-8729/
Summaries are generated and may contain mistakes; the official description above is the record.