CVE-2023-51610
📋 TL;DR
This vulnerability in Kofax Power PDF allows attackers to disclose sensitive information by tricking users into opening malicious JP2 files. The flaw exists in how the software handles JP2 file parsing, leading to use-after-free conditions. Users of affected Kofax Power PDF installations are at risk.
💻 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 with other vulnerabilities to achieve remote code execution, potentially compromising the entire system.
Likely Case
Sensitive information from the PDF application's memory is disclosed, which could include document contents, system information, or authentication data.
If Mitigated
With proper controls, the impact is limited to information disclosure from the PDF application's process memory only.
🎯 Exploit Status
Requires user interaction (opening malicious file) and likely needs to be combined with other vulnerabilities for full exploitation.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: Check Kofax security advisory for specific patched versions
Vendor Advisory: https://docshield.kofax.com/PowerPDF/en_US/4.0.0-4n1t3p4o2y/wwhelp/wwhimpl/js/html/wwhelp.htm
Restart Required: Yes
Instructions:
1. Check current Power PDF version. 2. Visit Kofax support portal. 3. Download and install latest security update. 4. Restart system to ensure patch is fully applied.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Disable JP2 file association
windowsRemove JP2 file type association with Kofax Power PDF to prevent automatic opening
Control Panel > Default Programs > Associate a file type or protocol with a program > Change .jp2 association to different application
Block JP2 files at perimeter
allConfigure email and web gateways to block .jp2 file attachments
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Implement application whitelisting to prevent execution of unauthorized PDF applications
- Deploy endpoint protection with memory protection capabilities to detect exploitation attempts
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check Power PDF version against Kofax security advisory; versions before the patch are vulnerableCheck Version:
Open Power PDF > Help > About Power PDFVerify Fix Applied:
Verify Power PDF version matches or exceeds patched version listed in Kofax advisory📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Power PDF crash logs with memory access violations
- Unexpected JP2 file processing in application logs
Network Indicators:
- Downloads of JP2 files from untrusted sources
- Unusual outbound connections after JP2 file processing
SIEM Query:
source="PowerPDF" AND (event_type="crash" OR file_extension=".jp2")