CVE-2008-1942 in Foxit
Summary
by MITRE
Foxit Reader 2.2 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (crash) and possibly execute arbitrary code via a PDF file with (1) a malformed ExtGState resource containing a /Font resource, or (2) an XObject resource with a Rotate setting, which triggers memory corruption. NOTE: this is probably a different vulnerability than CVE-2007-2186.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/31/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2008-1942 affects Foxit Reader version 2.2 and represents a critical security flaw that can be exploited remotely to cause system instability and potential code execution. This vulnerability demonstrates the inherent risks associated with PDF processing software and highlights the importance of robust input validation in document rendering applications. The flaw manifests when the vulnerable software processes specially crafted PDF files that contain malformed resources within the document structure.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves two distinct attack vectors that exploit memory corruption issues within the Foxit Reader application. The first vector occurs when a PDF file contains a malformed ExtGState resource that includes a /Font resource, while the second vector involves an XObject resource with a Rotate setting. Both scenarios trigger memory corruption that leads to application crashes and potentially allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code on the target system. These attack vectors specifically target the memory management mechanisms within the PDF rendering engine, exploiting improper handling of resource references and transformation parameters.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents significant risk to organizations that rely on Foxit Reader for document processing and viewing. The remote exploit capability means that attackers can potentially compromise systems without requiring physical access or user interaction beyond opening a malicious document. The potential for arbitrary code execution makes this vulnerability particularly dangerous as it could allow attackers to gain full control of affected systems, install backdoors, or escalate privileges within the network environment. The denial of service aspect further compounds the risk by potentially disrupting business operations through application crashes and system instability.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-125, which describes out-of-bounds read conditions, and CWE-787, which covers out-of-bounds write conditions, both of which are common in memory corruption vulnerabilities. Additionally, this issue maps to ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter, as successful exploitation could enable attackers to execute arbitrary commands on compromised systems. The attack surface is particularly concerning given that PDF files are commonly shared across networks and frequently opened by users without extensive security awareness, making this vulnerability highly exploitable in real-world scenarios.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including updating to the latest version of Foxit Reader that contains patches for this vulnerability, implementing network-level controls to block suspicious PDF files, and conducting security awareness training for users to avoid opening untrusted documents. System administrators should also consider implementing application whitelisting policies to restrict execution of vulnerable software and monitor network traffic for potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability underscores the importance of regular security updates and the need for comprehensive vulnerability management processes to address similar issues in other PDF processing applications and document viewers.