CVE-2017-11624 : Exploit Details and Defense Strategies
Learn about CVE-2017-11624, a stack-consumption vulnerability in QPDF 6.0.0 allowing denial of service attacks. Find out how to mitigate and prevent this security issue.
A stack-consumption vulnerability in libqpdf in QPDF 6.0.0 allows attackers to trigger a denial of service by exploiting a manipulated file. The vulnerability stems from the QPDFTokenizer::resolveLiteral function in QPDFTokenizer.cc, leading to an 'infinite loop.'
Understanding CVE-2017-11624
This CVE involves a stack-consumption vulnerability in QPDF 6.0.0 that can be exploited to cause a denial of service attack.
What is CVE-2017-11624?
The vulnerability in libqpdf in QPDF 6.0.0 enables attackers to execute a denial of service attack through a specifically crafted file. The issue originates from the QPDFTokenizer::resolveLiteral function in QPDFTokenizer.cc, which triggers an infinite loop after two consecutive calls to QPDFObjectHandle::parseInternal.
The Impact of CVE-2017-11624
This vulnerability can be exploited by malicious actors to provoke a denial of service condition on systems running the affected QPDF version.
Technical Details of CVE-2017-11624
This section provides more in-depth technical insights into the CVE.
Vulnerability Description
The vulnerability in libqpdf in QPDF 6.0.0 allows for a stack-consumption issue that can be abused to cause a denial of service attack by manipulating a file. The root cause lies in the QPDFTokenizer::resolveLiteral function in QPDFTokenizer.cc.
Affected Systems and Versions
- Affected Systems: Not specified
- Affected Versions: QPDF 6.0.0
Exploitation Mechanism
The vulnerability can be exploited by manipulating a file to trigger an infinite loop in the QPDFTokenizer::resolveLiteral function.
Mitigation and Prevention
Protecting systems from CVE-2017-11624 requires immediate actions and long-term security practices.
Immediate Steps to Take
- Apply security patches provided by the vendor promptly.
- Implement file input validation to prevent malicious file uploads.
- Monitor system logs for any unusual activities.
Long-Term Security Practices
- Regularly update software and libraries to the latest versions.
- Conduct security audits and penetration testing to identify vulnerabilities.
- Educate users on safe file handling practices to mitigate risks.
Patching and Updates
Ensure that QPDF is updated to a patched version that addresses the stack-consumption vulnerability.