CVE-2009-0690 in Foxit
Summary
by MITRE
The Foxit JPEG2000/JBIG2 Decoder add-on before 2.0.2009.616 for Foxit Reader 3.0 before Build 1817 does not properly handle a negative value for the stream offset in a JPEG2000 (aka JPX) stream, which allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (memory corruption and application crash) or possibly execute arbitrary code via a crafted PDF file that triggers an out-of-bounds read.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/26/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2009-0690 represents a critical security flaw in the Foxit JPEG2000/JBIG2 Decoder add-on component that was part of Foxit Reader versions prior to build 1817. This vulnerability specifically targets the handling of stream offsets within JPEG2000 (JPX) formatted data streams, where the decoder fails to properly validate negative offset values. The issue manifests when processing crafted PDF files that contain maliciously constructed JPEG2000 data, creating a scenario where the decoder attempts to access memory locations beyond the intended data boundaries. This fundamental flaw in input validation creates a pathway for attackers to manipulate the decoder's memory management behavior, potentially leading to system instability or more severe consequences. The vulnerability falls under the category of improper input validation and memory safety issues that are commonly addressed by security standards such as CWE-129, which specifically covers improper handling of length parameters.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through a carefully crafted PDF document that embeds malformed JPEG2000 streams containing negative offset values. When the Foxit Reader attempts to decode these streams, the negative offset values cause the decoder to perform invalid memory operations that result in out-of-bounds read conditions. This memory corruption can manifest as application crashes, which represents the primary denial of service impact, but the vulnerability also presents a potential code execution risk when the corrupted memory operations are carefully orchestrated. The flaw exists in the decoder's stream parsing logic where it fails to validate that offset values remain within acceptable bounds, allowing attackers to manipulate the decoder's internal state through malicious input data. This type of vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it can be triggered through normal document viewing operations, making it an attractive target for social engineering attacks that deliver malicious PDF files to unsuspecting users.
The operational impact of CVE-2009-0690 extends beyond simple application crashes to potentially enable remote code execution in vulnerable systems, making it a significant concern for organizations that rely on Foxit Reader for document processing. The vulnerability affects users who process PDF documents from untrusted sources, creating a broad attack surface that could be exploited through email attachments, web downloads, or document sharing platforms. When exploited, the vulnerability can cause complete application failure, requiring users to restart their document readers and potentially lose unsaved work. The memory corruption aspect of this vulnerability also raises concerns about data integrity and system stability, as corrupted memory operations could potentially lead to more unpredictable behavior. Organizations using affected versions of Foxit Reader should consider this vulnerability as a high-priority risk that could be leveraged for persistent attacks or as part of larger exploitation campaigns targeting document processing applications.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability primarily involve updating to the patched version of Foxit Reader, specifically build 1817 or later, which contains the necessary fixes to properly validate stream offset values in JPEG2000 data streams. System administrators should also implement additional security measures such as restricting PDF file processing to trusted sources, implementing content filtering solutions, and ensuring that all software components are kept up to date with the latest security patches. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input validation and memory safety practices in document processing applications, aligning with ATT&CK technique T1203 which covers exploitation for privilege escalation through memory corruption. Organizations should also consider implementing network segmentation and monitoring solutions to detect potential exploitation attempts, as the vulnerability could be used as a stepping stone for more sophisticated attacks within compromised networks. Regular security assessments and penetration testing should include evaluation of document processing components to identify similar vulnerabilities in other third-party software that handles multimedia content within PDF documents.