CVE-2009-0691 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 fatal error during decoding of a JPEG2000 (aka JPX) header, 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 invalid memory access.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/27/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2009-0691 represents a critical security flaw within the Foxit Reader software ecosystem, specifically affecting the JPEG2000/JBIG2 Decoder add-on version prior to 2.0.2009.616. This issue manifests when processing PDF documents containing maliciously crafted JPEG2000 (JPX) headers, creating a dangerous condition where the application fails to properly manage fatal errors during the decoding process. The flaw exists within the document parsing logic that handles multimedia content embedded within PDF files, particularly those utilizing the JPX format which is based on the JPEG2000 standard. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-125 as an out-of-bounds read error, where the decoder attempts to access memory locations beyond the allocated buffer boundaries during header processing.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when a remote attacker crafts a PDF file containing malformed JPX header data that triggers an improper error handling mechanism within the Foxit Reader's decoding engine. When the application attempts to parse this malicious header, it encounters a fatal error condition that is not properly managed, leading to an invalid memory access pattern. This memory corruption scenario can result in two distinct attack vectors: denial of service through application crashes and potential arbitrary code execution. The memory corruption occurs because the decoder fails to validate header boundaries and does not implement proper bounds checking mechanisms before accessing memory regions. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it can be triggered through simple document delivery without requiring any special user interaction beyond opening the malicious file, making it an ideal candidate for drive-by download attacks.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability affects users of Foxit Reader version 3.0 prior to Build 1817, creating a significant risk for organizations that rely on this PDF reader for document processing. The remote exploitation capability means that attackers can deliver malicious payloads through email attachments, web downloads, or compromised websites without requiring user authentication or privilege escalation. The potential for arbitrary code execution makes this vulnerability particularly severe, as it could allow attackers to gain full control over affected systems. This type of vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1203, which describes the use of malicious documents to execute code, and represents a classic example of a buffer overflow or memory corruption attack that can be leveraged for privilege escalation and persistent access. Organizations using vulnerable versions of Foxit Reader face substantial risk of system compromise, data theft, or service disruption.
The recommended mitigation strategy involves immediate patching of the Foxit Reader software to version 2.0.2009.616 or later, which includes proper error handling and memory validation mechanisms for JPEG2000 header processing. System administrators should also implement network-based protections such as PDF content filtering, sandboxing mechanisms, and email security scanning to prevent delivery of malicious documents. Additional protective measures include disabling the JPEG2000/JBIG2 decoder functionality within Foxit Reader when it is not required for business operations, and implementing strict access controls for PDF document handling. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper error handling in multimedia decoders and highlights the need for robust input validation and memory management practices. Organizations should also consider alternative PDF readers or implement multi-layered security approaches that include network segmentation, endpoint protection, and regular security assessments to identify similar vulnerabilities in other document processing software components.