CVE-2023-37353
📋 TL;DR
This vulnerability in Kofax Power PDF allows remote attackers to disclose sensitive information by tricking users into opening malicious JPG files. The flaw exists in JPG file parsing where improper data validation enables reading beyond allocated memory boundaries. Affected users include anyone using vulnerable versions of Kofax Power PDF who opens untrusted JPG files.
💻 Affected Systems
- Kofax Power PDF
📦 What is this software?
Power Pdf by Tungstenautomation
⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
Attackers could combine this information disclosure vulnerability with other exploits to achieve arbitrary code execution in the context of the current user process, potentially leading to full system compromise.
Likely Case
Attackers can read sensitive information from memory, potentially exposing credentials, session tokens, or other confidential data that could be used for further attacks.
If Mitigated
With proper controls, the impact is limited to potential information disclosure without code execution, though sensitive data could still be exposed.
🎯 Exploit Status
Requires user interaction (opening malicious file) and likely needs to be combined with other vulnerabilities for code execution
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: Not specified in provided references
Vendor Advisory: https://www.zerodayinitiative.com/advisories/ZDI-23-948/
Restart Required: Yes
Instructions:
1. Check Kofax Power PDF version
2. Visit Kofax support portal for latest updates
3. Download and install latest security update
4. Restart system if prompted
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Restrict JPG file handling
windowsConfigure system to open JPG files with alternative applications instead of Kofax Power PDF
User awareness training
allEducate users not to open JPG files from untrusted sources
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Implement application whitelisting to block execution of Kofax Power PDF
- Use network segmentation to isolate systems running vulnerable software
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check Kofax Power PDF version against latest security bulletin from KofaxCheck Version:
Open Kofax Power PDF → Help → About to view versionVerify Fix Applied:
Verify installed version matches or exceeds patched version specified in vendor advisory📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Application crashes when processing JPG files
- Unusual memory access patterns in application logs
Network Indicators:
- Downloads of JPG files from suspicious sources
- Outbound connections following JPG file processing
SIEM Query:
Process execution of PowerPDF.exe followed by network connections or file access anomalies