CVE-2025-14411: Soda PDF Out-of-Bounds Read Vulnerability

CVE-2025-14411 Overview

CVE-2025-14411 is an out-of-bounds read information disclosure vulnerability in Soda PDF Desktop. The flaw resides in the application's PDF file parsing logic, where user-supplied data is not properly validated before being used to index memory. A remote attacker can craft a malicious PDF that causes the parser to read past the end of an allocated object, exposing sensitive process memory. Exploitation requires user interaction: the target must open a malicious file or visit a page that delivers one. The issue was tracked by the Zero Day Initiative as ZDI-CAN-27140 and disclosed as ZDI-25-1084. It is categorized under [CWE-125] Out-of-Bounds Read.

Critical Impact
Attackers can disclose sensitive in-process memory from Soda PDF Desktop and chain the leak with other flaws to achieve arbitrary code execution in the context of the current user.

Affected Products

Soda PDF Desktop version 14.0.509.23030
Sodapdf soda_pdf desktop installations parsing untrusted PDF documents
Windows endpoints where Soda PDF is registered as a PDF file handler

Discovery Timeline

2025-12-23 - CVE-2025-14411 published to the National Vulnerability Database
2026-06-17 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2025-14411

Vulnerability Analysis

The vulnerability exists within the PDF parsing subsystem of Soda PDF Desktop. When the application processes a crafted PDF, the parser trusts an attacker-controlled length or offset field without verifying it against the bounds of the underlying allocation. The parser then reads bytes beyond the end of the allocated buffer.

The leaked data may include heap metadata, pointers, or fragments of other documents currently held in memory. On its own, the read exposes sensitive information from the process. When combined with a memory corruption primitive, the disclosed pointers can be used to defeat Address Space Layout Randomization (ASLR) and stage arbitrary code execution in the context of the current user.

Exploitation requires local user interaction because the target must open the malicious file. However, the delivery vector is typically remote: email attachments, download links, or drive-by prompts from a malicious page.

Root Cause

The root cause is missing validation of user-supplied size or index values during PDF object parsing, classified as [CWE-125] Out-of-Bounds Read. The parser calculates a read location from PDF stream metadata without confirming the computed range falls inside the allocated object.

Attack Vector

An attacker crafts a PDF that includes malformed structural fields such as oversized stream lengths or manipulated cross-reference offsets. The victim opens the file with Soda PDF Desktop. The parser processes the malicious fields, performs an out-of-bounds read, and returns the leaked bytes into memory the attacker can later exfiltrate through chained rendering or scripting behavior.

No verified public proof-of-concept is available. Refer to the Zero Day Initiative Advisory ZDI-25-1084 for the vendor-coordinated technical summary.

Detection Methods for CVE-2025-14411

Indicators of Compromise

Unexpected crashes or hangs in SodaPDF.exe shortly after opening an emailed or downloaded PDF
Windows Error Reporting entries referencing access violations inside Soda PDF parsing modules
PDF files arriving from untrusted sources with malformed cross-reference tables or oversized stream length declarations
Outbound network activity initiated by SodaPDF.exe immediately after document open events

Detection Strategies

Hunt for process crashes where the faulting image is Soda PDF and the exception code is 0xC0000005 (access violation) or 0xC0000409 (stack buffer check)
Correlate PDF file writes from browser or mail client processes with subsequent Soda PDF child process activity
Inspect PDF documents at the mail gateway for structural anomalies such as invalid xref offsets or stream lengths exceeding object size

Monitoring Recommendations

Enable process and image-load telemetry for SodaPDF.exe and related helper binaries
Log file open events on .pdf extensions and correlate with the source process
Monitor endpoints running Soda PDF 14.0.509.23030 for unusual memory access patterns or child process spawns

How to Mitigate CVE-2025-14411

Immediate Actions Required

Inventory endpoints running Soda PDF Desktop and identify hosts on version 14.0.509.23030 or earlier
Apply the vendor update as soon as a fixed build is published by Sodapdf
Restrict Soda PDF as the default PDF handler on high-value workstations until patched
Enforce user awareness guidance to avoid opening PDF files from untrusted senders

Patch Information

No vendor advisory URL was published alongside the NVD record at the time of writing. Consult the Zero Day Initiative Advisory ZDI-25-1084 and the Sodapdf release notes for the fixed build number and update instructions. Apply updates through the in-application update mechanism or by downloading the latest installer from the vendor.

Workarounds

Change the default Windows PDF handler to a patched alternative reader until Soda PDF is updated
Block inbound PDF attachments from external senders at the mail gateway, or route them through a sandboxed rendering service
Enable Attack Surface Reduction rules that prevent Office and mail clients from launching PDF handlers automatically
Restrict outbound network access from SodaPDF.exe to limit exfiltration of leaked memory contents

bash

# Configuration example: query installed Soda PDF version on Windows endpoints
Get-ItemProperty HKLM:\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\* |
  Where-Object { $_.DisplayName -like 'Soda PDF*' } |
  Select-Object DisplayName, DisplayVersion, Publisher