CVE-2024-9758 Overview
CVE-2024-9758 is an out-of-bounds read vulnerability [CWE-125] in Tungsten Automation Power PDF. The flaw resides in the handling of AcroForm Annotation objects and stems from insufficient validation of user-supplied data. Remote attackers can disclose sensitive process memory by convincing a user to open a crafted PDF or visit a malicious page. Exploitation requires user interaction. Attackers can chain this read primitive with other vulnerabilities to achieve arbitrary code execution in the context of the current process. The issue was reported through the Zero Day Initiative as ZDI-CAN-24474.
Critical Impact
Successful exploitation leaks memory contents from the Power PDF process and can be combined with other flaws to execute arbitrary code.
Affected Products
- Tungsten Automation Power PDF
- cpe:2.3:a:tungstenautomation:power_pdf:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
- Installations processing untrusted PDF documents
Discovery Timeline
- 2024-11-22 - CVE-2024-9758 published to NVD
- 2026-06-17 - Last updated in NVD database
Technical Details for CVE-2024-9758
Vulnerability Analysis
The vulnerability exists in the AcroForm Annotation parsing logic of Tungsten Automation Power PDF. When the application processes annotation objects inside a PDF document, it fails to properly validate the length or boundaries of a data structure before reading from it. This causes the parser to read past the end of an allocated buffer.
The out-of-bounds read discloses adjacent heap memory to attacker-controlled logic. Disclosed content may include pointers, object metadata, or fragments of previously processed documents. Attackers commonly use such reads to bypass Address Space Layout Randomization (ASLR) when chaining with a write or type-confusion primitive to achieve code execution.
Root Cause
The root cause is missing bounds validation on user-supplied data within Annotation object handling. The parser trusts size or offset fields embedded in the PDF and reads beyond the allocated buffer when those fields exceed the buffer length. This is a classic CWE-125 pattern in complex document parsers.
Attack Vector
Exploitation is network-reachable but requires user interaction. A victim must open a malicious PDF in Power PDF or visit a web page that delivers such a file. No authentication or elevated privileges are required. The immediate impact is information disclosure limited to the current process context, but pairing the primitive with a memory corruption bug can escalate impact to arbitrary code execution.
No verified proof-of-concept code is publicly available. See the Zero Day Initiative Advisory ZDI-24-1361 for additional technical context.
Detection Methods for CVE-2024-9758
Indicators of Compromise
- Unexpected crashes or abnormal termination of the Power PDF process when opening PDF documents
- PDF files with malformed AcroForm annotation structures received via email, chat, or web downloads
- Power PDF processes spawning unexpected child processes after opening an untrusted document
Detection Strategies
- Inspect inbound PDF attachments at the mail gateway for malformed or oversized annotation dictionaries
- Monitor endpoint telemetry for anomalous memory access patterns or crash signatures originating from Power PDF binaries
- Correlate PDF opens with subsequent suspicious process creation, network egress, or credential access activity
Monitoring Recommendations
- Enable Windows Error Reporting and forward crash dumps for Power PDF to a central telemetry pipeline
- Alert on PDF documents delivered from newly registered or low-reputation domains
- Track document-viewer processes for injection, thread creation, or unexpected library loads
How to Mitigate CVE-2024-9758
Immediate Actions Required
- Inventory all endpoints running Tungsten Automation Power PDF and identify installations exposed to untrusted documents
- Apply the vendor-supplied update for Power PDF as soon as it is available from Tungsten Automation
- Restrict Power PDF from being the default handler for PDFs received from external sources until patched
Patch Information
Refer to the Zero Day Initiative Advisory ZDI-24-1361 and Tungsten Automation vendor communications for the fixed build. No dedicated vendor advisory URL is listed in the NVD entry at the time of publication.
Workarounds
- Block or quarantine PDF attachments from untrusted senders at the email gateway
- Configure browsers to prompt before opening PDFs in Power PDF rather than opening them automatically
- Use an alternate PDF reader with sandboxing for documents originating outside the organization
- Provide user awareness guidance on the risk of opening unsolicited PDF documents
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
