CVE-2024-9740 is an out-of-bounds write vulnerability classified under CWE-787, found in the BMP file parsing functionality of Tungsten Automation Power PDF version 5.0.0.10.0.23307. The vulnerability results from insufficient validation of user-supplied BMP data, which allows an attacker to write beyond the allocated memory buffer. This memory corruption can be exploited to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the application process. The attack vector requires user interaction, such as opening a malicious BMP file embedded in a PDF or visiting a crafted webpage that triggers the vulnerable parser. The vulnerability has a CVSS 3.0 base score of 7.8, indicating high severity, with attack vector local (AV:L), low attack complexity (AC:L), no privileges required (PR:N), user interaction required (UI:R), unchanged scope (S:U), and high impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability (C:H/I:H/A:H). Although no exploits are publicly known at this time, the nature of the vulnerability and its potential impact make it a significant threat. The vulnerability was reported by the Zero Day Initiative (ZDI) as ZDI-CAN-24456 and was publicly disclosed on November 22, 2024. Tungsten Automation has not yet published patches, so users must monitor for updates and apply them promptly once released.

Successful exploitation of CVE-2024-9740 can lead to remote code execution within the context of the Power PDF application, potentially allowing attackers to take full control of the affected system. This can result in data theft, installation of malware, lateral movement within networks, and disruption of business operations. Since the vulnerability affects a widely used PDF processing tool, organizations relying on Power PDF for document handling are at risk. The requirement for user interaction means phishing or social engineering campaigns could be used to deliver malicious BMP files. The high impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability underscores the critical nature of this vulnerability. Enterprises in sectors with high document processing needs, such as finance, legal, and government, face increased risk. The absence of known exploits currently provides a window for proactive mitigation, but the threat of future exploitation remains significant.

Organizations should immediately implement the following mitigations: 1) Monitor Tungsten Automation’s official channels for security patches and apply updates as soon as they become available. 2) Employ application whitelisting to restrict execution of unauthorized files and scripts. 3) Use endpoint protection solutions capable of detecting anomalous behavior related to memory corruption exploits. 4) Educate users about the risks of opening unsolicited or suspicious PDF files, especially those containing embedded BMP images. 5) Implement network-level protections such as email filtering and web content scanning to block malicious attachments and URLs. 6) Consider sandboxing PDF viewing applications to limit the impact of potential exploitation. 7) Regularly audit and restrict user privileges to minimize the damage from compromised accounts. These targeted measures go beyond generic advice by focusing on the specific attack vector and exploitation requirements of this vulnerability.