CVE-2018-17461 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

A vulnerability in PDFium in versions of Google Chrome before 68.0.3440.75 allowed a remote attacker to exploit an out-of-bounds memory read by using a carefully crafted PDF file.

Understanding CVE-2018-17461

This CVE entry describes a specific vulnerability in Google Chrome that could be exploited by a remote attacker.

What is CVE-2018-17461?

CVE-2018-17461 is an out-of-bounds read vulnerability in PDFium in Google Chrome versions prior to 68.0.3440.75. This flaw could be leveraged by a remote attacker through a specially crafted PDF file.

The Impact of CVE-2018-17461

The vulnerability allowed an attacker to perform an out-of-bounds memory read, potentially leading to unauthorized access or information disclosure.

Technical Details of CVE-2018-17461

This section provides more technical insights into the CVE.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability in PDFium in Google Chrome before 68.0.3440.75 enabled a remote attacker to execute an out-of-bounds memory read via a malicious PDF file.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: Chrome
Vendor: Google
Versions Affected: < 68.0.3440.75
Version Type: Custom

Exploitation Mechanism

The vulnerability could be exploited by a remote attacker through a carefully crafted PDF file to trigger an out-of-bounds memory read.

Mitigation and Prevention

Protective measures to address CVE-2018-17461.

Immediate Steps to Take

Update Google Chrome to version 68.0.3440.75 or later to mitigate the vulnerability.
Avoid opening PDF files from untrusted or unknown sources.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update software and applications to the latest versions.
Implement security best practices to prevent and detect malicious PDF files.

Patching and Updates

Apply security patches and updates provided by Google Chrome promptly to address known vulnerabilities.