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CVE-2025-6647: CWE-787: Out-of-bounds Write in PDF-XChange PDF-XChange Editor

High
VulnerabilityCVE-2025-6647cvecve-2025-6647cwe-787
Published: Wed Jun 25 2025 (06/25/2025, 21:42:55 UTC)
Source: CVE Database V5
Vendor/Project: PDF-XChange
Product: PDF-XChange Editor

Description

PDF-XChange Editor U3D File Parsing Out-Of-Bounds Write Remote Code Execution Vulnerability. This vulnerability allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code on affected installations of PDF-XChange Editor. User interaction is required to exploit this vulnerability in that the target must visit a malicious page or open a malicious file. The specific flaw exists within the parsing of U3D files. The issue results from the lack of proper validation of user-supplied data, which can result in a write past the end of an allocated object. An attacker can leverage this vulnerability to execute code in the context of the current process. Was ZDI-CAN-26644.

AI-Powered Analysis

AILast updated: 06/25/2025, 22:17:44 UTC

Technical Analysis

CVE-2025-6647 is a high-severity remote code execution vulnerability affecting PDF-XChange Editor version 10.5.2.395. The flaw is rooted in improper validation during the parsing of U3D (Universal 3D) files embedded within PDF documents. Specifically, the vulnerability is an out-of-bounds write (CWE-787), where user-supplied data is not properly checked before being written beyond the allocated memory buffer. This memory corruption can be exploited by an attacker to execute arbitrary code within the context of the PDF-XChange Editor process. Exploitation requires user interaction, such as opening a maliciously crafted PDF file or visiting a web page that triggers the loading of a malicious PDF containing a malformed U3D file. The vulnerability does not require prior authentication or elevated privileges, but the attacker must convince the user to open or interact with the malicious content. The CVSS v3.0 score is 7.8, reflecting high impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability, with low attack complexity but requiring user interaction. No known exploits are currently reported in the wild, but the vulnerability's nature and impact make it a significant risk once weaponized. The lack of a patch or mitigation from the vendor at the time of publication increases the urgency for defensive measures. Given the widespread use of PDF-XChange Editor in enterprise and personal environments, this vulnerability poses a substantial threat vector for remote code execution via document-based attacks.

Potential Impact

For European organizations, this vulnerability presents a critical risk primarily through spear-phishing campaigns or drive-by downloads where malicious PDFs are distributed via email or compromised websites. Successful exploitation can lead to full compromise of the affected workstation, enabling attackers to execute arbitrary code, install malware, steal sensitive data, or move laterally within corporate networks. The high confidentiality, integrity, and availability impact means that sensitive business information, intellectual property, and operational continuity could be severely affected. Sectors with high reliance on PDF workflows—such as legal, financial, government, and healthcare organizations—are particularly vulnerable. Additionally, the requirement for user interaction aligns with common social engineering attack vectors, increasing the likelihood of successful exploitation in environments with less mature security awareness. The absence of known exploits currently provides a window for proactive defense, but the vulnerability’s characteristics suggest it could be rapidly weaponized. European organizations using PDF-XChange Editor without timely updates or mitigations are at risk of targeted attacks that could result in data breaches, ransomware infections, or espionage.

Mitigation Recommendations

1. Immediate deployment of application whitelisting to restrict execution of unauthorized code and prevent exploitation payloads from running. 2. Implement strict email filtering and attachment sandboxing to detect and block malicious PDFs containing malformed U3D files. 3. Enforce user training focused on recognizing suspicious documents and phishing attempts, emphasizing the risks of opening unsolicited PDFs. 4. Disable or restrict the use of PDF-XChange Editor for opening untrusted documents, or replace it with alternative PDF readers that do not support U3D or have no known vulnerabilities. 5. Monitor endpoint behavior for anomalous activity indicative of exploitation attempts, such as unexpected memory writes or process injections linked to PDF-XChange Editor. 6. Network segmentation to limit lateral movement if a workstation is compromised. 7. Maintain up-to-date backups and incident response plans tailored to document-based attack vectors. 8. Engage with the vendor for patches or updates and apply them promptly once available. 9. Use endpoint detection and response (EDR) tools with signatures or heuristics for this specific vulnerability or related exploitation techniques. These measures go beyond generic advice by focusing on the specific attack vector (U3D parsing in PDFs) and the operational context of PDF-XChange Editor usage.

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Technical Details

Data Version
5.1
Assigner Short Name
zdi
Date Reserved
2025-06-25T14:29:54.534Z
Cvss Version
3.0
State
PUBLISHED

Threat ID: 685c711fe230f5b23485ac84

Added to database: 6/25/2025, 9:58:55 PM

Last enriched: 6/25/2025, 10:17:44 PM

Last updated: 8/11/2025, 9:09:27 PM

Views: 15

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