CVE-2021-27906: Pdfbox Uncontrolled Memory Allocation Vulnerability

Q: What is CVE-2021-27906?

CVE-2021-27906 is a security vulnerability in Pdfbox involving Uncontrolled Memory Allocation in Apache PDFBox under CWE-789: Memory Allocation with Excessive Size Value.

Q: Which Pdfbox versions are affected?

Affected versions include releases prior to 2.0.23 across affected packages: org.apache.pdfbox:pdfbox.

Q: What version fixes CVE-2021-27906?

Upgrading to 2.0.23 (or the latest patched release for your respective branch) resolves the vulnerability.

Q: Is pdfbox affected?

Yes, org.apache.pdfbox:pdfbox is affected in releases prior to 2.0.23. Upgrade your dependency to 2.0.23 or later.

Q: What is the CVSS score of CVE-2021-27906?

CVE-2021-27906 has a CVSS v3.1 base score of 5.5 (MODERATE) with vector string CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H.

Q: What CWE is associated with CVE-2021-27906?

CVE-2021-27906 is classified under CWE-789: Memory Allocation with Excessive Size Value (The product allocates memory based on an untrusted, large size value, but it does not ensure that the size is within expected limits, allowing arbitrary amounts of memory to be allocated.).

Q: How can I check Maven dependencies for CVE-2021-27906?

Run the dependency tree command: 'mvn dependency:tree -Dincludes=org.apache.pdfbox'. This command lists direct and transitive dependencies in your build configuration so you can verify if a vulnerable version is resolved.

MODERATE

Advisory Identifier: GHSA-6vqp-h455-42mr

CVSS 5.5

CWE-789

Published 2021-05-13

Advisory Summary

CVE-2021-27906 is a MODERATE (CVSS 5.5) uncontrolled memory allocation vulnerability (CWE-789: Memory Allocation with Excessive Size Value) affecting Pdfbox libraries in the Maven ecosystem. The issue involves uncontrolled memory allocation in apache pdfbox. Remediation is available by upgrading affected packages to version 2.0.23.

CVE-2021-27906 at a Glance

CVE Identifier CVE-2021-27906

GHSA Identifier GHSA-6vqp-h455-42mr

Severity MODERATE

CVSS v3.1 Base Score 5.5

CWE Classification CWE-789: Memory Allocation with Excessive Size Value

Affected Product Pdfbox

Package Ecosystem Maven

Published Date 2021-05-13

Last Updated 2021-10-21

Security Impact

CVSS: 5.5

The security impact metrics below are parsed directly from the CVSS v3.1 vector string (CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H).

Attack Vector Local (AV:L)

Attack Complexity Low (AC:L)

Privileges Required None (PR:N)

User Interaction Required (UI:R)

Scope Unchanged (S:U)

Confidentiality None (C:N)

Integrity None (I:N)

Availability High (A:H)

How to Fix CVE-2021-27906

To remediate this vulnerability, upgrade all affected Pdfbox dependencies to a patched release. Both direct and transitive dependencies should be checked, as frameworks or security libraries may pull in vulnerable versions transitively.

org.apache.pdfbox:pdfbox fixed: 2.0.23

<dependency>
    <groupId>org.apache.pdfbox</groupId>
    <artifactId>pdfbox</artifactId>
    <version>2.0.23</version>
</dependency>

Verify Direct and Transitive Dependencies

Run the following command in your project directory to verify that all resolved dependencies use the patched release:

mvn dependency:tree -Dincludes=org.apache.pdfbox

How to Check if You Are Affected

To determine whether your Java application is affected by CVE-2021-27906, inspect your build dependencies using the Maven Dependency Plugin:

mvn dependency:tree -Dincludes=org.apache.pdfbox

Analyze the terminal output to locate any version of Pdfbox in your dependency tree. If any resolved version matches the vulnerable ranges listed in the table below (for example, versions earlier than 2.0.23), your application is affected.

Note: The mvn dependency:tree -Dincludes=org.apache.pdfbox command inspects the resolved dependency graph declared in your project's POM files; it does not perform automated security scanning or inspect runtime dynamic classpaths. Always verify runtime container classpaths and shaded JARs.

Technical Details

Vulnerability Mechanism & Technical Analysis

This vulnerability is classified under CWE-789: Memory Allocation with Excessive Size Value, where the product allocates memory based on an untrusted, large size value, but it does not ensure that the size is within expected limits, allowing arbitrary amounts of memory to be allocated. In Pdfbox, software state validation or input boundaries are circumvented during processing. Review the official source advisory statement below for specific affected components, classes, and reproduction details.

Source Advisory Statement

A carefully crafted PDF file can trigger an OutOfMemory-Exception while loading the file. This issue affects Apache PDFBox version 2.0.22 and prior 2.0.x versions.

CVE-2021-27906 Affected Pdfbox Versions

1 component(s)

Fixed Versions:

2.0.23

Product / Package	Ecosystem	Affected Versions	Fixed Version
org.apache.pdfbox:pdfbox maven/org.apache.pdfbox/pdfbox	Maven	≥ 2.0.0 < 2.0.23	2.0.23

References

NVD — CVE-2021-27906 NVD

https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2021-27906

Security Fix Commit FIX COMMIT

https://github.com/apache/pdfbox/commit/8c47be1011c11dc47300faecffd8ab32fba3646f

Pdfbox Security Information SECURITY

https://www.oracle.com/security-alerts/cpuoct2021.html

Pdfbox Security Information SECURITY

https://www.oracle.com/security-alerts/cpuapr2022.html

Pdfbox Security Information SECURITY

https://www.oracle.com//security-alerts/cpujul2021.html

lists.fedoraproject.org/archives/list/packa... WEB

https://lists.fedoraproject.org/archives/list/package-announce@lists.fedoraproject.org/message/6PT72QOFDXLJ7PLTN66EMG5EHPTE7TFZ

lists.fedoraproject.org/archives/list/packa... WEB

https://lists.fedoraproject.org/archives/list/package-announce@lists.fedoraproject.org/message/6KDA2U4KL2N3XT3PM4ZJEBBA6JJIH2G4

lists.fedoraproject.org/archives/list/packa... WEB

https://lists.fedoraproject.org/archives/list/package-announce@lists.fedoraproject.org/message/2AVLKAHFMPH72TTP25INPZPGX5FODK3H

lists.apache.org/thread.html/rf35026... WEB

https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/rf35026148ccc0e1af133501c0d003d052883fcc65107b3ff5d3b61cd@%3Cusers.pdfbox.apache.org%3E

lists.apache.org/thread.html/rf35026... WEB

https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/rf35026148ccc0e1af133501c0d003d052883fcc65107b3ff5d3b61cd%40%3Cusers.pdfbox.apache.org%3E

lists.apache.org/thread.html/re1e358... WEB

https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/re1e35881482e07dc2be6058d9b44483457f36133cac67956686ad9b9@%3Cnotifications.ofbiz.apache.org%3E

lists.apache.org/thread.html/rdf78ae... WEB

https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/rdf78aef4793362e778e21e34328b0456e302bde4b7e74f229df0ee04@%3Cannounce.apache.org%3E

lists.apache.org/thread.html/rc69140... WEB

https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/rc69140d894c6a9c67a8097a25656cce59b46a5620c354ceba10543c3@%3Cnotifications.ofbiz.apache.org%3E

lists.apache.org/thread.html/raa3574... WEB

https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/raa35746227f3f8d50fff1db9899524423a718f6f35cd39bd4769fa6c@%3Cnotifications.ofbiz.apache.org%3E

lists.apache.org/thread.html/r9ffe17... WEB

https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/r9ffe179385637b0b5cbdabd0246118005b4b8232909d2d14cd68ccd3@%3Ccommits.ofbiz.apache.org%3E

issues.apache.org/jira/browse/pdfbox-... WEB

https://issues.apache.org/jira/browse/PDFBOX-5112

lists.apache.org/thread.html/r7ee634... WEB

https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/r7ee634c21816c69ce829d0c41f35afa2a53a99bdd3c7cce8644fdc0e@%3Cnotifications.ofbiz.apache.org%3E

lists.apache.org/thread.html/r6e067a... WEB

https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/r6e067a6d83ccb6892d0ff867bd216704f21fb0b6a854dea34be04f12@%3Cnotifications.ofbiz.apache.org%3E

lists.apache.org/thread.html/r64982b... WEB

https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/r64982b768c8a2220b07aaf813bd099a9863de0d13eb212fd4efe208f@%3Cusers.pdfbox.apache.org%3E

lists.apache.org/thread.html/r5c8e21... WEB

https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/r5c8e2125d18af184c80f7a986fbe47eaf0d30457cd450133adc235ac@%3Ccommits.ofbiz.apache.org%3E

lists.apache.org/thread.html/r545942... WEB

https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/r54594251369e14c185da9662a5340a52afbbdf75d61c9c3a69c8f2e8@%3Cdev.pdfbox.apache.org%3E

lists.apache.org/thread.html/r4cbc3f... WEB

https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/r4cbc3f6981cd0a1a482531df9d44e4c42a7f63342a7ba78b7bff8a1b@%3Cnotifications.james.apache.org%3E

lists.apache.org/thread.html/r1d2686... WEB

https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/r1d268642f8b52456ee8f876b888b8ed7a9e9568c7770789f3ded7f9e@%3Ccommits.ofbiz.apache.org%3E

lists.apache.org/thread.html/r1218e6... WEB

https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/r1218e60c32829f76943ecaca79237120c2ec1ab266459d711a578b50@%3Cdev.pdfbox.apache.org%3E

Pdfbox Source Repository REPOSITORY

https://github.com/apache/pdfbox

Pdfbox Security Information SECURITY

http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2021/03/19/10

Frequently Asked Questions

What is CVE-2021-27906?

CVE-2021-27906 is a security vulnerability in Pdfbox involving Uncontrolled Memory Allocation in Apache PDFBox under CWE-789: Memory Allocation with Excessive Size Value.

Which Pdfbox versions are affected?

Affected versions include releases prior to 2.0.23 across affected packages: org.apache.pdfbox:pdfbox.

What version fixes CVE-2021-27906?

Upgrading to 2.0.23 (or the latest patched release for your respective branch) resolves the vulnerability.

Is pdfbox affected?

Yes, org.apache.pdfbox:pdfbox is affected in releases prior to 2.0.23. Upgrade your dependency to 2.0.23 or later.

What is the CVSS score of CVE-2021-27906?

CVE-2021-27906 has a CVSS v3.1 base score of 5.5 (MODERATE) with vector string CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H.

What CWE is associated with CVE-2021-27906?

CVE-2021-27906 is classified under CWE-789: Memory Allocation with Excessive Size Value (The product allocates memory based on an untrusted, large size value, but it does not ensure that the size is within expected limits, allowing arbitrary amounts of memory to be allocated.).

How can I check Maven dependencies for CVE-2021-27906?

Run the dependency tree command: 'mvn dependency:tree -Dincludes=org.apache.pdfbox'. This command lists direct and transitive dependencies in your build configuration so you can verify if a vulnerable version is resolved.

Machine-readable OSV JSON OSV v1.5 Schema

Normalized schema output

View Raw JSON

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  "schema_version" : "1.4.0",
  "id" : "GHSA-6vqp-h455-42mr",
  "modified" : "2021-10-21T17:32:17Z",
  "published" : "2021-05-13T22:30:13Z",
  "aliases" : [ "CVE-2021-27906" ],
  "summary" : "Uncontrolled Memory Allocation in Apache PDFBox",
  "details" : "A carefully crafted PDF file can trigger an OutOfMemory-Exception while loading the file. This issue affects Apache PDFBox version 2.0.22 and prior 2.0.x versions.",
  "severity" : [ {
    "type" : "CVSS_V3",
    "score" : "CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H"
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    },
    "ranges" : [ {
      "type" : "ECOSYSTEM",
      "events" : [ {
        "introduced" : "2.0.0"
      }, {
        "fixed" : "2.0.23"
      } ]
    } ]
  } ],
  "references" : [ {
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    "url" : "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2021-27906"
  }, {
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  "database_specific" : {
    "cwe_ids" : [ "CWE-789" ],
    "severity" : "MODERATE",
    "github_reviewed" : true,
    "github_reviewed_at" : "2021-03-22T18:36:26Z",
    "nvd_published_at" : "2021-03-19T16:15:00Z"
  }
}

CVSS V3

5.5 MODERATE

Attack Vector Local (AV:L)

Attack Complexity Low (AC:L)

Privileges Required None (PR:N)

User Interaction Required (UI:R)

Scope Unchanged (S:U)

Confidentiality None (C:N)

Integrity None (I:N)

Availability High (A:H)

Vector String

CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H

Advisory Metadata

Source ID: GHSA-6vqp-h455-42mr
Schema Version: 1.4.0
Published: 2021-05-13 22:30
Last Modified: 2021-10-21 17:32
Database Record File: advisories/github-reviewed/2021/05/GHSA-6vqp-h455-42mr/GHSA-6vqp-h455-42mr.json