Microsoft Vulnerability Research Advisory MSVR13-004
Vulnerability in DjVuLibre Could Allow Remote Code Execution
Published: March 19, 2013
Version: 1.0
Overview
Executive Summary
Microsoft is providing notification of the discovery and remediation of a vulnerability affecting DjVuLibre software version 3.5.25 and earlier versions. Microsoft discovered and disclosed the vulnerability under coordinated vulnerability disclosure to the DjVuLibre project maintainers. The DjVuLibre project maintainers have remediated the vulnerability in their software.
A vulnerability exists when the an application using DjVuLibre parses DjVu (.djv) files in a way that results in memory corruption. An attacker who successfully exploited this vulnerability could could run arbitrary code in the security context of the current user. If the current user is logged on with administrative user rights, an attacker who successfully exploited this vulnerability could take complete control of an affected system. An attacker could then install programs; view, change, or delete data; or create new accounts with full user rights.
Microsoft Vulnerability Research reported this issue to and coordinated with the DjVuLibre project to ensure remediation of this issue. The vulnerability has been assigned the entry CVE-2012-6535 in the Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures list. For more information, including information about updates from DjVuLibre, see the DjVuLibre website.
Mitigating Factors
- This vulnerability cannot be exploited automatically through email. For an attack to be successful, a user must open an attachment that is sent in an email message.
- In a web-based attack scenario, an attacker could host a website that contains a specially crafted file that is used to exploit this vulnerability. In addition, compromised websites and websites that accept or host user-provided content or advertisements could contain specially crafted content that could exploit the vulnerability. In all cases, however, an attacker would have no way to force users to visit these websites. Instead, an attacker would have to convince users to visit the website, typically by getting them to click a link in an email message or Instant Messenger message that takes users to the attacker's website, and then convince them to open the specially crafted file.
- An attacker who successfully exploited this vulnerability could gain the same user rights as the current user. Users whose accounts are configured to have fewer user rights on the system could be less impacted than users who operate with administrative user rights.
Advisory Details
Purpose and Recommendation
Purpose of Advisory: To notify users of a vulnerability and its remediation.
Advisory Status: Advisory published.
Recommendation: Review the Suggested Actions section and configure as appropriate.
Issue References
For more information about this issue, see the following references:
Reference | Identification |
---|---|
Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures | CVE-2012-6535 |
Affected and Non-Affected Software
This advisory discusses the following software:
Affected Software |
---|
DjVuLibre software version 3.5.25 and earlier versions[1] |
Non-Affected Software |
DjVuLibre software version 3.5.25.3 |
[1]DjVuLibre is included as a component in other software. For more information, see the Advisory FAQ section.
Advisory FAQ
What is the scope of this advisory?
This advisory is part of a coordinated release with affected vendors to inform customers of a security issue that may affect their systems.
Is this a security vulnerability that requires Microsoft to issue a security update?
No. This vulnerability has been fixed via an update from the affected third-party vendors. The update remediates the software listed in the table, Affected Software.
What is the scope of the vulnerability?
This is a remote code execution vulnerability. An attacker who successfully exploited this vulnerability could gain the same user rights as the current user. Users whose accounts are configured to have fewer user rights on the system could be less impacted than users who operate with administrative user rights.
What causes the vulnerability?
A vulnerability exists when an application using DjVuLibre parses DjVu (.djv) files in a way that results in memory corruption.
How is this vulnerability remediated in applications that use DjVuLibre?
This vulnerability has been remediated in DjVuLibre software, including DjView, by updating DjVuLibre to a non-affected version. Third-party vendors have remediated their software (including Evince, Sumatra PDF Reader, and VuDroid) by updating DjVuLibre to a non-affected version and then redistributing their software.
What might an attacker use this vulnerability to do?
An attacker who successfully exploited this vulnerability could run arbitrary code in the security context of the current user. If the current user is logged on with administrative user rights, an attacker who successfully exploited this vulnerability could take complete control of an affected system. An attacker could then install programs; view, change, or delete data; or create new accounts with full user rights. Users whose accounts are configured to have fewer user rights on the system could be less impacted than users who operate with administrative user rights.
How could an attacker exploit the vulnerability?
An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by tricking a user into opening a specially crafted file with an application that uses an affected version of DjVuLibre. Typically, these specially crafted files are delivered via social engineering techniques in email, instant messaging, or via download links on websites. This vulnerability cannot be exploited without user interaction.
Suggested Actions
For end users
Update to the latest version of any product incorporating DjVuLibre.
For developers of affected third-party applications
Ensure that your software is incorporating the latest version of DjVuLibre.
Other Information
Acknowledgments
Microsoft thanks the following:
- Jeremy Brown of Microsoft and the DjVuLibre project maintainers for working toward a resolution
Disclaimer
The information provided in this advisory is provided "as is" without warranty of any kind. Microsoft disclaims all warranties, either express or implied, including the warranties of merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose. In no event shall Microsoft Corporation or its suppliers be liable for any damages whatsoever including direct, indirect, incidental, consequential, loss of business profits or special damages, even if Microsoft Corporation or its suppliers have been advised of the possibility of such damages. Some states do not allow the exclusion or limitation of liability for consequential or incidental damages so the foregoing limitation may not apply.
Revisions
- V1.0 (March 19, 2013): Advisory published.
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