CVE-2025-9394 is a use-after-free vulnerability identified in PoDoFo version 1.1.0-dev, specifically within the PdfTokenizer::DetermineDataType function located in the PDF Dictionary Parser component (src/podofo/main/PdfTokenizer.cpp). PoDoFo is an open-source library used for parsing and manipulating PDF files. The vulnerability arises when the function improperly manages memory, leading to a scenario where a previously freed memory region is accessed again. This type of flaw can cause undefined behavior, including application crashes, data corruption, or potentially arbitrary code execution if exploited correctly. The vulnerability requires local access with low privileges (PR:L) and does not require user interaction (UI:N). The attack vector is local (AV:L), meaning an attacker must have some level of access to the host system to trigger the flaw. The CVSS 4.0 base score is 4.8, indicating a medium severity level. The exploit has been published, which increases the risk of exploitation, although no known widespread exploitation in the wild has been reported yet. A patch identified by commit 22d16cb142f293bf956f66a4d399cdd65576d36c addresses this issue and should be applied promptly to remediate the vulnerability. The vulnerability impacts confidentiality, integrity, and availability to a limited extent due to the local attack vector and the requirement for low privileges, but it still poses a risk especially in environments where PoDoFo is used to process untrusted PDF files locally.

For European organizations, the impact of CVE-2025-9394 depends largely on the deployment of PoDoFo within their IT infrastructure. Organizations that utilize PoDoFo for PDF processing—such as document management systems, automated PDF generation or parsing services, or internal tools handling PDF files—may be vulnerable to local privilege escalation or denial of service attacks. Since exploitation requires local access, the threat is more significant in environments where multiple users share systems or where attackers can gain initial foothold through other means (e.g., phishing, malware). In sectors like finance, legal, healthcare, and government, where PDF documents are frequently processed and may contain sensitive data, exploitation could lead to data corruption or leakage, impacting confidentiality and integrity. Additionally, disruption of PDF processing services could affect business continuity. The published exploit code increases the urgency for European organizations to patch affected systems to prevent potential exploitation, especially in environments with less stringent endpoint security controls or where PoDoFo is embedded in custom applications.

1. Apply the official patch (commit 22d16cb142f293bf956f66a4d399cdd65576d36c) to update PoDoFo to a version that addresses the use-after-free vulnerability. 2. Conduct an inventory of all systems and applications using PoDoFo, including custom software, to identify affected versions. 3. Restrict local access to systems running PoDoFo to trusted users only, minimizing the risk of local exploitation. 4. Implement strict file validation and sandboxing for PDF processing workflows to limit the impact of malicious PDF files. 5. Monitor system logs and application behavior for anomalies that could indicate exploitation attempts, such as crashes or unexpected process terminations related to PDF handling. 6. Educate users about the risks of opening untrusted PDF files, especially on shared or multi-user systems. 7. Consider deploying endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions capable of detecting use-after-free exploitation techniques. 8. For environments where patching is delayed, consider temporary mitigations such as disabling or limiting PoDoFo usage or isolating affected services.