#VU15378 Buffer overflow in texlive - CVE-2018-17407

Vulnerability identifier: #VU15378

Vulnerability risk: High

CVSSv4.0: 5.7 [CVSS:4.0/AV:L/AC:L/AT:N/PR:N/UI:A/VC:H/VI:H/VA:H/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N/E:U/U:Amber]

CVE-ID: CVE-2018-17407

CWE-ID: CWE-120

Exploitation vector: Network

Exploit availability: No

Vulnerable software:
texlive
Client/Desktop applications / Other client software

Vendor: TeX Users Group

Description

The vulnerability allows a remote attacker to execute arbitrary code on the target system.

The vulnerability exists due to buffer overflow when handling of Type 1 fonts by the t1_check_unusual_charstring functions, as defined in the writet1.c source code file. A remote unauthenticated attacker can trick the victim into loading a file that submits malicious Type 1 fonts to the targeted system with the pdflatex, pdftex, dvips, or luatex tools, trigger memory corruption and execute arbitrary code with elevated privileges.

Successful exploitation of this vulnerability may result in complete compromise of vulnerable system.

Mitigation
Install update from vendor's website.

Vulnerable software versions

texlive: 2007.0 - 2018.0414

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External links
https://github.com/TeX-Live/texlive-source/commit/6ed0077520e2b0da1fd060c7f88db7b2e6068e4c

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Q & A

Can this vulnerability be exploited remotely?

Yes. This vulnerability can be exploited by a remote non-authenticated attacker via the Internet.

Is there known malware, which exploits this vulnerability?

No. We are not aware of malware exploiting this vulnerability.