HIGH
CVE-2012-2142
NVD-CWE-OtherPublished: January 9, 2020· Updated: Jun 16, 2026
7.8
CVSS v3.1
Official Description
The error function in Error.cc in poppler before 0.21.4 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary commands via a PDF containing an escape sequence for a terminal emulator.
Technical Analysis
CVE-2012-2142 requires local access, meaning attackers must already have a foothold on the target system.
Exploitation does not require any privileges, though user interaction (Required) is needed, which slightly reduces the risk of mass automated attacks.
A successful exploit results in complete confidentiality breach (data exposure), full integrity compromise (data manipulation), availability disruption (denial of service), with a CVSS base score of 7.8.
CVSS v3.1 Vector Breakdown
Exploitability
Attack VectorLocal
Attack ComplexityLow
Privileges Req.None
User InteractionRequired
ScopeUnchanged
Impact
ConfidentialityHigh
IntegrityHigh
AvailabilityHigh
CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
Affected Vendors & Products
freedesktop1 product(s)
poppler
openSUSE1 product(s)
opensuse
Red Hat1 product(s)
enterprise linux
xpdfreader1 product(s)
xpdf
Source: NVD CPE · 5 total CPE entries
Exploit & PoC Resources
NO KNOWN EXPLOITNo public exploit confirmed at this time
Exploit-DB
Offensive Security exploit database
GitHub PoC Search
Community PoC repositories
Rapid7 / Metasploit
Metasploit module search
PacketStorm
Security advisories & exploits
NVD Detail
Official NIST entry
MITRE CVE
CVE Program entry
External links open in a new tab. Always verify in a controlled environment before use.
Official Patches & Advisories
PATCHhttp://cgit.freedesktop.org/poppler/poppler/commit/?id=71bad47ed6a36d825b0d08992c8db56845c71e40
PATCHhttp://cgit.freedesktop.org/poppler/poppler/commit/NEWS?id=2bc48d5369f1dbecfc4db2878f33bdeb80d8d90f
PATCHhttp://cgit.freedesktop.org/poppler/poppler/commit/?id=71bad47ed6a36d825b0d08992c8db56845c71e40
All References (12)
→
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http://lists.opensuse.org/opensuse-updates/2013-08/msg00049.htmlMailing List · Patch · Third Party Advisory
→
http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2013/08/09/5Exploit · Mailing List · Third Party Advisory
→
http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2013/08/09/6Exploit · Mailing List · Third Party Advisory
→
https://bugzilla.redhat.com/show_bug.cgi?id=789936Issue Tracking · Third Party Advisory
→
→
→
http://lists.opensuse.org/opensuse-updates/2013-08/msg00049.htmlMailing List · Patch · Third Party Advisory
→
http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2013/08/09/5Exploit · Mailing List · Third Party Advisory
→
http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2013/08/09/6Exploit · Mailing List · Third Party Advisory
→
https://bugzilla.redhat.com/show_bug.cgi?id=789936Issue Tracking · Third Party Advisory
Quick Facts
CVE IDCVE-2012-2142
CVSS Score7.8 / 10
SeverityHIGH
WeaknessNVD-CWE-Other
CISA KEVNo
Affected4 vendor(s)
PublishedJan 9, 2020
Related CVEs (NVD-CWE-Other)
Recommended Actions
- →Apply vendor patches immediately
- →Monitor CVE-2012-2142 in threat intel feeds
- →Review IDS/IPS signatures for exploitation attempts
Data sourced from NVD (NIST), CISA KEV, and EPSS (FIRST). Analysis generated by CTIWATCH.COM. CVE data is provided under the NVD usage policy.