{"id":82637,"date":"2025-10-14T09:35:19","date_gmt":"2025-10-14T09:35:19","guid":{"rendered":""},"modified":"2025-10-28T17:39:16","modified_gmt":"2025-10-28T23:39:16","slug":"cve-2025-46205-denial-of-service-vulnerability-in-podofo-s-pdftokenizer-readdictionary-function","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ameeba.com\/blog\/cve-2025-46205-denial-of-service-vulnerability-in-podofo-s-pdftokenizer-readdictionary-function\/","title":{"rendered":"CVE-2025-46205: Denial of Service Vulnerability in Podofo’s PdfTokenizer::ReadDictionary Function<\/strong>"},"content":{"rendered":"

Overview<\/strong><\/p>\n

The world of cybersecurity is an ever-evolving landscape riddled with potential vulnerabilities and exploits. One such vulnerability, with the identifier CVE-2025-46205, poses a significant threat to any system utilizing versions v0.10.0 to v0.10.5 of the podofo library. This vulnerability specifically targets the PdfTokenizer::ReadDictionary function<\/a>, leading to a heap-use-after-free condition. This vulnerability is of high importance as it allows attackers to cause a Denial<\/a> of Service (DoS) by simply supplying a crafted PDF file. Organizations utilizing the affected versions of podofo should address this vulnerability promptly to prevent potential system compromise<\/a> or data leakage.<\/p>\n

Vulnerability Summary<\/strong><\/p>\n

CVE ID: CVE-2025-46205
\nSeverity: High (8.1 CVSS Severity Score)
\nAttack Vector: Remote
\nPrivileges Required: None
\nUser Interaction: Required
\nImpact: Denial of Service, Potential system<\/a> compromise or data leakage<\/p>\n

Affected Products<\/strong><\/p>\n

Product | Affected Versions<\/p>\n

Podofo | v0.10.0 to v0.10.5<\/p>\n

How the Exploit Works<\/strong><\/p>\n

The vulnerability resides in the PdfTokenizer::ReadDictionary function of the podofo library<\/a>. Due to improper memory management, a heap-use-after-free condition can be triggered when parsing a maliciously crafted PDF file. This condition occurs when an object in the heap memory is used after it has been freed, leading to a crash or, more critically, enabling the execution of arbitrary code<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Conceptual Example Code<\/strong><\/p>\n

The following pseudocode represents a conceptual example of a crafted PDF file that could be used to exploit the vulnerability<\/a>:
\n“`c++
\nPdfObject* obj = new PdfObject();
\n\/\/ … fill the object with malicious code
\nPdfTokenizer::ReadDictionary(obj);
\ndelete obj;
\n\/\/ … use obj again, triggering the heap-use-after-free condition
\nPdfTokenizer::ReadDictionary(obj);
\n“`
\nIn this example, the object `obj` is deleted and then used again, causing the heap-use-after-free condition. This could be packaged into a PDF file and sent to the victim, who would trigger the vulnerability when opening the file<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Recommendations<\/strong><\/p>\n

The most effective mitigation against this vulnerability is to apply the vendor patch. In situations where immediate patching is not feasible, implementing a Web Application Firewall (WAF) or Intrusion Detection System (IDS) can provide a temporary mitigation. However, these should only be seen as stopgap measures, as they may not completely protect against all potential exploits of this vulnerability<\/a>. Regular system and software updates, combined with robust cybersecurity practices, are the best defense against threats such as CVE-2025-46205.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Overview The world of cybersecurity is an ever-evolving landscape riddled with potential vulnerabilities and exploits. One such vulnerability, with the identifier CVE-2025-46205, poses a significant threat to any system utilizing versions v0.10.0 to v0.10.5 of the podofo library. This vulnerability specifically targets the PdfTokenizer::ReadDictionary function, leading to a heap-use-after-free condition. This vulnerability is of high […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"vendor":[],"product":[],"attack_vector":[87],"asset_type":[],"severity":[],"exploit_status":[],"class_list":["post-82637","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized","attack_vector-dos"],"aioseo_notices":[],"aioseo_head":"\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t