Hacking with PDF (2022)
The article outlines how PDF files can be exploited through techniques like injection and XSS, emphasizing the need for understanding PDF structure to prevent attacks and analyze malicious content.
Read original article
The article discusses the use of PDF files as an attack vector, detailing various techniques for exploiting vulnerabilities within PDFs. It emphasizes the importance of understanding the PDF structure to effectively execute attacks such as PDF injection, cross-site scripting (XSS), credential theft, and remote code execution (RCE). The author explains how to create malicious PDFs that can execute JavaScript to display alerts, steal user credentials, or redirect users to harmful websites. Specific examples include using the app.alert() function for XSS and the submitForm() method to send stolen credentials to an attacker's server. The article also highlights the risks associated with outdated PDF readers and provides a demonstration of exploiting a vulnerability in Foxit Reader to achieve RCE. Additionally, it covers methods for analyzing malicious PDFs using tools like peepdf and pdf-parser, which can help identify and extract harmful JavaScript code embedded within PDF files. The author concludes by stressing the importance of both offensive and defensive skills in cybersecurity.
- PDF files can be exploited through various techniques, including injection and XSS.
- Attackers can steal credentials by embedding JavaScript in PDFs that prompts users for sensitive information.
- Remote code execution can be achieved by exploiting vulnerabilities in outdated PDF readers.
- Tools like peepdf and pdf-parser are useful for analyzing and extracting malicious content from PDFs.
- Understanding PDF structure is crucial for both launching attacks and developing defenses against them.
Related
Simple ways to find exposed sensitive information
Various methods to find exposed sensitive information are discussed, including search engine dorking, Github searches, and PublicWWW for hardcoded API keys. Risks of misconfigured AWS S3 buckets are highlighted, stressing data confidentiality.
Latest Ghostscript vulnerability haunts experts as the next big breach enabler
Infosec experts warn of critical Ghostscript vulnerability CVE-2024-29510 allowing RCE. Despite medium severity rating, exploit could lead to severe impacts like file manipulation. Urgent patching advised to prevent breaches.
Don't try to sanitize input. Escape output. (2020)
Limitations of input sanitization in preventing XSS attacks are discussed. Filtering unsafe characters may alter input or provide false security. Contextual escaping and validation are crucial for secure coding practices.
Threat actors quick to weaponize PoC exploits; 6.8% of all internet traffic DDoS
Hackers exploit PoC exploits within 22 minutes of release, leaving little time for defense. Cloudflare advises using AI for quick detection rules. DDoS attacks contribute to 6.8% of daily internet traffic, rising to 12% during major events.
Exploiting authorization by nonce in WordPress plugins
Vulnerabilities in WordPress plugins arise from nonce misuse, leading to privilege escalation. Critical issues include RCE in Advanced File Manager and Filester, and SQL injection in Squirrly SEO plugin.
4 commentsThe only exploit listed here that has a chance of working with Preview/Safari (PDFKit) is the URI one — none of the Javascript exploits will work.
Why? I never implemented Javascript support [1].
Security was extremely important at Apple (there's a whole security team that frequently interact with the various project owners around the company, write and deploy file fuzzers, create must-fix Radars around exploits found in the wild, etc.).
In fact though I had no idea how I would hoist a Javascript runtime and I didn't really have the cycles to implement it if I had known how to. Anyways we were content to support the 99% of PDFs out there.
[1] In fact there were a few US tax documents that used very simple Javascript snippets to take the values from two fields, add them, and put the result in a third. Some code in PDFKit I added would identify these few very simple patterns and implement them sans JS runtime.
Related
Simple ways to find exposed sensitive information
Various methods to find exposed sensitive information are discussed, including search engine dorking, Github searches, and PublicWWW for hardcoded API keys. Risks of misconfigured AWS S3 buckets are highlighted, stressing data confidentiality.
Latest Ghostscript vulnerability haunts experts as the next big breach enabler
Infosec experts warn of critical Ghostscript vulnerability CVE-2024-29510 allowing RCE. Despite medium severity rating, exploit could lead to severe impacts like file manipulation. Urgent patching advised to prevent breaches.
Don't try to sanitize input. Escape output. (2020)
Limitations of input sanitization in preventing XSS attacks are discussed. Filtering unsafe characters may alter input or provide false security. Contextual escaping and validation are crucial for secure coding practices.
Threat actors quick to weaponize PoC exploits; 6.8% of all internet traffic DDoS
Hackers exploit PoC exploits within 22 minutes of release, leaving little time for defense. Cloudflare advises using AI for quick detection rules. DDoS attacks contribute to 6.8% of daily internet traffic, rising to 12% during major events.
Exploiting authorization by nonce in WordPress plugins
Vulnerabilities in WordPress plugins arise from nonce misuse, leading to privilege escalation. Critical issues include RCE in Advanced File Manager and Filester, and SQL injection in Squirrly SEO plugin.