Exploit:JS/Pidief

Classification

Category :

Malware

Type :

Exploit

Aliases :

Pdf-js, Exploit.Win32.Pidief, Pdf-payload

Summary

A program or technique that takes advantage of a vulnerability to remotely access or attack a program, computer or server.

Removal

Based on the settings of your F-Secure security product, it will either move the file to the quarantine where it cannot spread or cause harm, or remove it.

A False Positive is when a file is incorrectly detected as harmful, usually because its code or behavior resembles known harmful programs. A False Positive will usually be fixed in a subsequent database update without any action needed on your part. If you wish, you may also:

  • Check for the latest database updates

    First check if your F-Secure security program is using the latest updates, then try scanning the file again.

  • Submit a sample

    After checking, if you still believe the file is incorrectly detected, you can submit a sample of it for re-analysis.

    Note: If the file was moved to quarantine, you need to collect the file from quarantine before you can submit it.

  • Exclude a file from further scanning

    If you are certain that the file is safe and want to continue using it, you can exclude it from further scanning by the F-Secure security product.

    Note: You need administrative rights to change the settings.

Technical Details

Exploit:JS/Pidief is a general family name for Portable Document Format (PDF) files that attempt to exploit vulnerabilities in Adobe Acrobat Reader. The specific vulnerability targeted varies with different variants of this family.

This type of malware may also be identified with the detection 'Exploit.PDF-Payload.Gen' or 'PDF-Payload'.

Distribution

This malware typically arrives as a PDF document sent as a email attachment, usually with a title relating to current events or purporting to be some sort of form.

Activity

If the document is run, successful exploitation results in additional malware executables being dropped/downloaded onto the system.

A clean copy of the PDF may also be dropped and opened in Acrobat so as to give the illusion that everything is normal.

Prevention

Users should ensure all Adobe software is updated to the latest versions.