# CVE-2016-5223: Google Chrome integer overflow in PDFium

Source: https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2016-5223-google-chrome-integer-overflow-in-pdfium  
Publisher: Junglewise Threat Intelligence, https://junglewise.ai/threats  
Published: 2017-01-19. Updated: 2026-05-13  
License: CC BY 4.0 with a link back

CVE-2016-5223 · Severity: medium · CVSS 6.5 · Published 2017-01-19

Google Chrome is a widely used web browser. A vulnerability was identified in its PDF viewing component, PDFium, which could allow a malicious website to crash the browser or potentially corrupt its memory. This occurs when a user is tricked into opening a specially crafted PDF file, which could lead to a temporary service disruption or further security compromises.

Technologies: [Google Chrome](https://junglewise.ai/threats/technologies/chrome), [Google Chromium](https://junglewise.ai/threats/technologies/chromium). Vendors: [Google](https://junglewise.ai/threats/vendors/google).

## Quick answers

**Is CVE-2016-5223 exploited in the wild?** No. Junglewise Threat Intelligence has no report of CVE-2016-5223 being exploited in the wild.

**How severe is CVE-2016-5223?** Medium severity, with a CVSS score of 6.5, published 19 January 2017.

**Which products and versions are affected?** Google Chromium Prior to 55.0.2883.75.

**Is there a fix for CVE-2016-5223?** A patch was published on 2016-12-07: Red Hat released RHSA-2016:2919 for chromium-browser Junglewise finds every place you run it, drafts the upgrade and applies it once you approve.

**How is CVE-2016-5223 attacked?** It is attacked over the network, in a network appliance.

**Am I affected by CVE-2016-5223?** Check whether you run Google Chrome or Google Chromium at an affected version. Junglewise does that check for you around the clock: connect your code, cloud and domains, and it matches new vulnerabilities like this one against what you actually run and tells you when one reaches you.

## Technical details

An integer overflow vulnerability exists in PDFium, the PDF rendering engine used in Google Chrome and Chromium-based browsers. The flaw is triggered when the engine processes a malformed PDF file containing specific crafted values that lead to an arithmetic overflow. A remote attacker can exploit this by hosting a malicious PDF on a website or sending it via email, requiring the user to open the file. Successful exploitation can result in heap corruption or a Denial of Service (DoS) crash. The issue was addressed in Chrome version 55.0.2883.75 for desktop platforms and 55.0.2883.84 for Android.

## Affected products

- Google Chrome Prior to 55.0.2883.75 (Desktop); Prior to 55.0.2883.84 (Android)
- Google Chromium Prior to 55.0.2883.75

## Timeline

- 2016-12-01: advisory: Google released Chrome 55.0.2883.75 with security fixes
- 2016-12-05: advisory: Gentoo released security advisory GLSA 201612-11
- 2016-12-07: patched: Red Hat released RHSA-2016:2919 for chromium-browser
- 2017-01-19: disclosed: NVD publication date

## References

- [http://rhn.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2016-2919.html](http://rhn.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2016-2919.html)
- [http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/94633](http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/94633)
- [https://chromereleases.googleblog.com/2016/12/stable-channel-update-for-desktop.html](https://chromereleases.googleblog.com/2016/12/stable-channel-update-for-desktop.html)
- [https://crbug.com/652038](https://crbug.com/652038)
- [https://security.gentoo.org/glsa/201612-11](https://security.gentoo.org/glsa/201612-11)

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