# CVE-2019-5042: Use after free in Aspose.PDF for C++

> A use-after-free vulnerability in Aspose.PDF for C++ allows attackers to execute arbitrary code via a specially crafted PDF file.

- **Severity:** High 8.8 (`CVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H`)
- **Exploited in the wild:** Not known
- **Login needed:** Any signed-in user
- **Attackable:** Over the internet
- **Victim action needed:** Not needed
- **Fix available:** No
- **Published:** 18 Sep 2019
- **Updated:** 4 Aug 2024
- **Also known as:** GHSA-cf89-rm5v-j67r

## What is CVE-2019-5042?

CVE-2019-5042 is a high-severity use after free vulnerability in Talos Aspose.PDF for C++, published on 18 Sep 2019. Any signed-in user can exploit it over the network, with no action from the victim.

### Official description

An exploitable Use-After-Free vulnerability exists in the way FunctionType 0 PDF elements are processed in Aspose.PDF 19.2 for C++. A specially crafted PDF can cause a dangling heap pointer, resulting in a use-after-free. An attacker can send a malicious PDF to trigger this vulnerability.

Weakness: CWE-416 (Use After Free)

## Which versions are affected by CVE-2019-5042?

It affects 1 product.


Products: Aspose Aspose.pdf for C\+\+.

## How do I fix CVE-2019-5042?

No fix has been published for CVE-2019-5042 yet. Limit exposure of the affected software until one is available.

## Is CVE-2019-5042 being exploited?

There is no known exploitation of CVE-2019-5042 in the wild and no public exploit code.

## Other vulnerabilities in Talos Aspose.PDF for C++

- [CVE-2019-5066](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2019-5066/): Use after free in Aspose (critical 9.8)
- [CVE-2019-5067](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2019-5067/): Memory corruption in Aspose (critical 9.8)

## Fix prompt for AI coding agents

```text
Check this codebase for CVE-2019-5042 and fix it if it is affected.

What it is: CVE-2019-5042 is a high-severity use after free vulnerability in Talos Aspose.PDF for C++, published on 18 Sep 2019. Any signed-in user can exploit it over the network, with no action from the victim.
Exploitation: There is no known exploitation of CVE-2019-5042 in the wild and no public exploit code.

Affected product: Talos Aspose.PDF for C++. 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-2019-5042/ (Markdown: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2019-5042/index.md)
```

## Sources

- CVE record: https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2019-5042
- NVD: https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2019-5042
- OSV: https://osv.dev/vulnerability/CVE-2019-5042

---
From sbomify Insights: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2019-5042/
Summaries are generated and may contain mistakes; the official description above is the record.