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CVE Record

CVE-2019-13283: In Xpdf 4.01.01, a heap-based buffer over-read could be triggered in strncpy from FoFiType1::parse in fofi/...

In Xpdf 4.01.01, a heap-based buffer over-read could be triggered in strncpy from FoFiType1::parse in fofi/FoFiType1.cc because it does not ensure the source string has a valid length before making a fixed-length copy. 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

This vulnerability affects Xpdf 4.01.01 PDF parsing. A malicious PDF can trigger memory over-read behavior when processed, potentially crashing the tool or leaking memory. The clearest business risk is disruption in workflows that automatically process PDFs, with possible confidentiality risk if sensitive memory is exposed.

Executive priority

Treat as a targeted remediation item for PDF-processing environments, not a broad emergency based on the provided evidence. Prioritize systems that automatically ingest external PDFs or process customer-supplied documents.

Technical view

CVE-2019-13283 is a heap-based buffer over-read in FoFiType1::parse in fofi/FoFiType1.cc. The issue occurs because a fixed-length strncpy copy is made without first ensuring the source string has a valid length. The CVE cites crafted PDF processing by pdftotext as an example trigger.

Likely exposure

Exposure is most likely where Xpdf 4.01.01, pdftotext, or software bundling Xpdf code processes untrusted PDFs, especially automated document ingestion, conversion, indexing, or extraction pipelines.

Exploitation context

The provided sources do not show CISA KEV listing, active exploitation, or exploit availability. The known attack condition is processing a crafted PDF through the vulnerable Xpdf parsing path. Impact is described as denial of service, information leak, or possibly unspecified other impact.

Researcher notes

The source bundle lacks CVSS, CWE, precise affected package metadata, and fixed-version details. Analysis should stay anchored to Xpdf 4.01.01 and the described FoFiType1::parse over-read until vendor advisories provide broader affected-version evidence.

Mitigation direction

  • Check vendor and distribution advisories for fixed Xpdf packages.
  • Update Xpdf or affected distro packages where updates are available.
  • Identify applications that bundle or invoke Xpdf-derived PDF parsing.
  • Avoid automatic processing of untrusted PDFs until affected components are updated.
  • Run PDF conversion services with least privilege and isolation.

Validation and detection

  • Inventory installed Xpdf and pdftotext versions across endpoints and servers.
  • Search document-processing pipelines for Xpdf or pdftotext dependencies.
  • Confirm Fedora or vendor package advisories are applied where relevant.
  • Review crash reports from PDF processing services for related parsing failures.
  • Verify automated PDF ingestion handles untrusted files in isolated workers.
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

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CVE-2019-13283 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.