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CVE Record

CVE-2019-13282: In Xpdf 4.01.01, a heap-based buffer over-read could be triggered in SampledFunction::transform in Function...

In Xpdf 4.01.01, a heap-based buffer over-read could be triggered in SampledFunction::transform in Function.cc when using a large index for samples. It can, for example, be triggered by sending a crafted PDF document to the pdftotext tool. It allows an attacker to use a crafted pdf file to cause Denial of Service or an information leak, or possibly have unspecified other impact.

UnknownCVSS not scoredNot KEV-listedUpdated
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Glexia's TakeAutomated analysismoderate

Security readout for executives and security teams

Plain-English summary

CVE-2019-13282 is a memory read flaw in Xpdf 4.01.01. A crafted PDF can trigger a heap buffer over-read when processed, including by the pdftotext tool. Reported impacts are denial of service, possible information leak, and unspecified other impact.

Executive priority

Prioritize remediation for servers or workflows that automatically process customer, email, or web-uploaded PDFs. Lower urgency for isolated desktop-only use with limited PDF intake, but still patch through normal security maintenance.

Technical view

The issue is in SampledFunction::transform in Function.cc. The CVE description says a large sample index can cause a heap-based buffer over-read while handling a crafted PDF. The public bundle does not provide CVSS, CWE, fixed version details, or a complete affected-version range.

Likely exposure

Exposure is most likely where Xpdf 4.01.01 or its pdftotext utility processes untrusted PDFs, especially automated document-conversion workflows. The bundle does not prove exposure for other PDF readers, libraries, or later Xpdf versions.

Exploitation context

The CVE says exploitation requires a crafted PDF document. There is no KEV listing and no cited source in the bundle states active exploitation in the wild. Treat this as a file-processing risk requiring user interaction or automated ingestion.

Researcher notes

Evidence is limited to the CVE description and referenced Xpdf/Fedora notices. The bundle does not include CVSS scoring, exploit maturity, patch commit details, or a full affected-version matrix, so validation should stay tied to vendor package guidance.

Mitigation direction

  • Identify systems and containers using Xpdf or pdftotext.
  • Apply relevant Xpdf or operating-system vendor updates.
  • Consult Xpdf and distribution advisories for fixed-version guidance.
  • Avoid processing untrusted PDFs with vulnerable tooling until updated.
  • Run PDF conversion in isolated, least-privileged environments.

Validation and detection

  • Check installed Xpdf and pdftotext versions against vendor advisories.
  • Inventory document-processing jobs that ingest external PDFs.
  • Confirm Fedora or other distribution security updates are applied.
  • Review crash telemetry for pdftotext or Xpdf processing failures.
  • Verify PDF conversion workloads run with containment controls.
Prepared
Confidence
medium
Sources
6

Public sources used

Generated from the cited source records. This long-tail analysis has not been individually reviewed by a named human.

Potential ATT&CK relevance

Conservative CVE-to-ATT&CK context

These mappings and lookup hints may be relevant to the vulnerability behavior, CWE, affected product, or exposure path. Glexia-inferred context is not an official MITRE, ATT&CK, CWE, or CVE Program mapping.

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CVE-2019-13282 mapping review

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Vulnerability profileCVE Program record
Severity
Unknown
CVSS
Not scored
Known Exploited
No
Published
Official CVE source material

CNA and ADP enrichment extracted from CVE v5

These fields come from the CVE record and ADP containers, not from Glexia's Take. They preserve time-varying source decisions such as CISA SSVC, KEV status, CVSS metrics, and provider references.

0CVSS vectors
0Timeline events
0ADP providers
5Source links

CVSS and timeline data

No CVSS vectors or timeline events were available in the normalized CVE source material.

Source materials

Affected products

Products and packages named in the record

VendorProductVersion / packageStatus
n/an/an/aListed
Weakness

CWE details

No CWE listed

CWE links open Glexia weakness intelligence pages with official CWE context, developer remediation guidance, and related CVE mappings.