CVE-2019-20093 : Security Advisory and Response

PoDoFo 0.9.6 contains a vulnerability that allows remote attackers to trigger a denial of service (NULL pointer dereference) via a manipulated file.

Understanding CVE-2019-20093

This CVE entry describes a specific vulnerability in PoDoFo 0.9.6 that can be exploited remotely to cause a denial of service.

What is CVE-2019-20093?

The vulnerability in PoDoFo 0.9.6 arises from the presence of ImageExtractor.cpp, leading to a NULL pointer dereference in the PoDoFo::PdfVariant::DelayedLoad function of PdfVariant.h when processing a manipulated file.

The Impact of CVE-2019-20093

The vulnerability allows remote attackers to exploit the PoDoFo library, potentially causing a denial of service condition by triggering a NULL pointer dereference.

Technical Details of CVE-2019-20093

PoDoFo 0.9.6 vulnerability details and affected systems.

Vulnerability Description

The PoDoFo::PdfVariant::DelayedLoad function in PdfVariant.h in PoDoFo 0.9.6 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (NULL pointer dereference) via a crafted file, due to ImageExtractor.cpp.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: PoDoFo 0.9.6
Vendor: N/A
Version: N/A

Exploitation Mechanism

The vulnerability can be exploited remotely by manipulating a file to trigger the NULL pointer dereference in the PdfVariant::DelayedLoad function.

Mitigation and Prevention

Steps to mitigate and prevent exploitation of CVE-2019-20093.

Immediate Steps to Take

Apply vendor patches or updates promptly.
Avoid opening files from untrusted sources.
Monitor vendor advisories for security updates.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update software and libraries.
Conduct security assessments and audits.
Implement network and system monitoring for unusual activities.

Patching and Updates

Check for patches or updates from the PoDoFo vendor.
Apply the latest security patches to mitigate the vulnerability.