CVE-2023-42080 PDF-XChange Editor EMF File Parsing Use-After-Free Remote Code Execution Vulnerability

High 7.8 Published 3 May 2024 Updated 2 Aug 2024

Remote attackers can execute arbitrary code by tricking users into opening malicious EMF files in PDF-XChange Editor.

Exploited in the wild: Not known
Login needed: Not needed
Attackable: Local or same network only
Victim action needed: A user has to click or open something
Fix: None listed

What is CVE-2023-42080?

CVE-2023-42080 is a high-severity use after free vulnerability in Pdf-Xchange Pdf-Tools, published on 3 May 2024. It can only be exploited from the same machine or local network, and only if a user opens a file or follows a link.

Official description

PDF-XChange Editor EMF File Parsing Use-After-Free Remote Code Execution Vulnerability. This vulnerability allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code on affected installations of PDF-XChange Editor. 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 EMF files. The issue results from the lack of validating the existence of an object prior to performing operations on the object. An attacker can leverage this vulnerability to execute code in the context of the current process. Was ZDI-CAN-21877.

Weakness: CWE-416

Which versions are affected by CVE-2023-42080?

It affects 2 products.

Products include Pdf-Xchange Pdf-Tools, Pdf-Xchange Pdf-Xchange Editor.

How do I fix CVE-2023-42080?

No fix has been published for CVE-2023-42080 yet. Limit exposure of the affected software until one is available.

Upgrade to the fixed version. These bugs are found with fuzzing and sanitisers and avoided by memory-safe languages. More about Use after free.

Is CVE-2023-42080 being exploited?

There is no known exploitation of CVE-2023-42080 in the wild and no public exploit code.

All Pdf-Xchange Pdf-Tools vulnerabilities

Sources

Also known as GHSA-9wx4-c2w3-phhg.