CVE-2023-38088

Code execution via uninitialized util-object memory

Published May 3, 2024 · Updated Aug 2, 2024

Uninitialized memory access in Kofax Power PDF 5.0.0.19 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a malicious page or file. The printf implementation accesses memory used for util objects without initializing it before the access. The target must visit the malicious page or open the malicious file, after which code runs in the current Power PDF process.

CVSS severity7.8
High
EPSS probability0.43%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
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Summary

What happened

Uninitialized memory access in Kofax Power PDF 5.0.0.19 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a malicious page or file. The printf implementation accesses memory used for util objects without initializing it before the access. The target must visit the malicious page or open the malicious file, after which code runs in the current Power PDF process.

The record

CVE
CVE-2023-38088
Published
May 3, 2024
Updated
Aug 2, 2024
Vendor
Tungsten Automation
Product
Power PDF
Classifications
CWE-457, T1204.002
Attack vector
local
Privileges
unauthenticated

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. May 3, 2024CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
  2. Aug 2, 2024Record updatedLatest update available in the CVE record.

Exploitability

Present is not the same as exploitable

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Is a vulnerable build present?

Compare these published version ranges with your installed build and any vendor patches.

  1. Affected versionversion=5.0.0.19

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectorlocal
Required privilegesunauthenticated

What is affected?

Tungsten Automation · Power PDFversion=5.0.0.19

Published CVSS scores

7.8Zero Day InitiativeCVSS:3.0/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

CVSS describes severity. EPSS estimates exploitation probability.

Attacks

What attackers are doing with it

Daily unique IPs observed by Shadowserver honeypots for known exploited vulnerabilities (KEVs). Missing observations do not establish an absence of attacks.

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No observations available

Sep 10, 2026Sep 16, 2026
Latest reporting daySep 16, 2026
Latest daily unique IPsUnavailable
Prior 30-day averageUnavailable
SourceShadowserver honeypots (KEV)
Vectorlocal
Privilegesunauthenticated
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Public exploitUnconfirmed

Weakness, pattern, technique

CWE-457Use of Uninitialized Variable
T1204.002User Execution: Malicious File

Public exploit references

No public exploit references are available in this record.

Labels summarize the accepted research assessment. They do not indicate a test against your environment.

Technologies

Your stack

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Your stack

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