pdf-parser
Analyze and extract data from PDF files
TLDR
Display statistics for a PDF file
Display objects of type /Font in a PDF file
Search for strings in indirect objects
SYNOPSIS
pdf-parser.py [options]
PARAMETERS
-h, --help
Show help message and exit.
-o OBJECT, --object=OBJECT
Select object(s) to display. Can be a single object number or a range (e.g., 1-5).
-s SEARCH, --search=SEARCH
Search for a string in the PDF file.
-m, --metadata
Extract and display PDF metadata.
-w, --raw
Output raw object content.
-i, --info
Display general PDF information.
-f, --filter
Apply filters to extract data.
-n, --nocase
Perform case-insensitive search.
-e, --elements
Show elements of objects (for debugging).
-d, --debug
Enable debugging output.
-v, --version
Show version information and exit.
-a, --asci
Use ASCII for string extraction (default is UTF-8).
DESCRIPTION
The `pdf-parser` command is a command-line tool designed to parse and analyze PDF documents. It allows users to extract various information from PDF files, such as metadata, text content, object structures, and embedded files. The tool is particularly useful for security analysts, forensic investigators, and developers who need to examine the internal structure of PDF documents to identify potential vulnerabilities, malware, or extract specific data. `pdf-parser` provides a set of options to filter and extract specific objects or data streams from the PDF file, offering a detailed look at the document's components. It can handle both standard PDF files and those with certain levels of obfuscation or encryption (depending on the implemented features and decryption capabilities). This command aids in understanding how a PDF document is structured and whether it contains any malicious or unexpected content.
CAVEATS
The effectiveness of `pdf-parser` in analyzing encrypted or heavily obfuscated PDF files may be limited, depending on the complexity of the protection mechanisms and whether the tool has implemented decryption or deobfuscation capabilities. Results may vary with different PDF versions and structures.
RETURN VALUES
The pdf-parser command typically returns 0 upon successful execution and a non-zero value in case of errors (e.g., invalid PDF file, incorrect options).
HISTORY
The `pdf-parser` tool has evolved over time as a Python script, primarily aimed at providing security researchers and forensic analysts with a means to dissect PDF documents. Its development has focused on enhancing its ability to identify malicious content embedded within PDFs, such as JavaScript code, shellcode, or embedded files. The tool has been improved to handle various PDF structures and encoding schemes, making it a versatile asset for PDF analysis.