CVE-2009-0837 in Foxit
Summary
by MITRE
Stack-based buffer overflow in Foxit Reader 3.0 before Build 1506, including 1120 and 1301, allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a long (1) relative path or (2) absolute path in the filename argument in an action, as demonstrated by the "Open/Execute a file" action.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/17/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2009-0837 represents a critical stack-based buffer overflow flaw in Foxit Reader version 3.0 and earlier builds including 1120 and 1301. This security weakness resides in the application's handling of file path arguments within action commands, specifically targeting the "Open/Execute a file" action functionality. The flaw manifests when the application processes excessively long relative or absolute paths provided in the filename argument, creating a condition where attacker-controlled data can overwrite adjacent memory locations on the stack.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability follows a classic stack buffer overflow pattern where insufficient input validation allows maliciously crafted file paths to exceed the allocated buffer space. When Foxit Reader processes a file path argument that exceeds the predetermined buffer limits, the excess data overflows into adjacent stack memory, potentially corrupting return addresses and other critical program state information. This overflow condition provides attackers with the opportunity to manipulate the program execution flow and inject arbitrary code that executes with the privileges of the vulnerable application.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution, as it enables remote attackers to gain unauthorized control over systems running affected Foxit Reader versions. Attackers can leverage this flaw by crafting malicious PDF documents containing specially formatted file path arguments that trigger the buffer overflow during document processing. The vulnerability's remote exploitability means that adversaries can deliver malicious payloads through web-based attacks or social engineering campaigns without requiring local access to the target system. This characteristic makes the vulnerability particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where users frequently open documents from untrusted sources.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-121 Stack-based Buffer Overflow, which classifies this as a fundamental memory safety issue where insufficient bounds checking allows data to overwrite adjacent memory locations. From an adversarial perspective, this flaw maps to multiple ATT&CK techniques including T1059 Command and Scripting Interpreter and T1068 Exploitation for Privilege Escalation. The vulnerability's exploitation pathway demonstrates how attackers can leverage application-specific flaws to achieve persistent access and execute malicious code remotely, making it a significant concern for organizations relying on PDF readers for document processing.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2009-0837 require immediate patching of affected Foxit Reader installations to versions that properly validate file path lengths and implement proper bounds checking. Organizations should also deploy network-based intrusion detection systems to monitor for suspicious PDF file access patterns and implement application whitelisting policies that restrict execution of untrusted PDF documents. Additionally, security awareness training should emphasize the dangers of opening PDF files from unknown sources, while system administrators should consider implementing sandboxing mechanisms to isolate PDF processing activities and limit potential damage from successful exploitation attempts.