CVE-2010-20010 in Foxit
Summary
by MITRE • 08/20/2025
Foxit PDF Reader before 4.2.0.0928 does not properly bound-check the /Title entry in the PDF Info dictionary. A specially crafted PDF with an overlong Title string can overflow a fixed-size stack buffer, corrupt the Structured Exception Handler (SEH) chain, and lead to arbitrary code execution in the context of the user who opens the file.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/20/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2010-20010 affects Foxit PDF Reader versions prior to 4.2.0.0928 and represents a classic stack buffer overflow condition that can be exploited to execute arbitrary code. This issue stems from inadequate input validation within the PDF parsing mechanism, specifically when processing the /Title entry in the PDF Info dictionary. The flaw occurs during the parsing of PDF metadata where the application fails to properly validate the length of the Title string before copying it into a fixed-size stack buffer. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-121 Stack-based Buffer Overflow, which is categorized under the broader weakness class of buffer overflows that occur when data is copied into a buffer without proper bounds checking.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability relies on the attacker crafting a malicious PDF file containing an excessively long Title string that exceeds the allocated buffer size. When the vulnerable Foxit PDF Reader processes this crafted file, the oversized Title value overflows the predetermined stack buffer space, causing corruption of adjacent memory locations including the Structured Exception Handler chain. The corruption of the SEH chain is particularly significant as it allows an attacker to redirect program execution flow, potentially leading to arbitrary code execution with the privileges of the user running the application. This vulnerability demonstrates the classic attack pattern where a buffer overflow is leveraged to manipulate program control flow rather than simply corrupting memory.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability presents a serious security risk to users who may inadvertently open malicious PDF files. The attack requires no special privileges or user interaction beyond opening the file, making it particularly dangerous in phishing campaigns or when users download documents from untrusted sources. The exploitability of this vulnerability is enhanced by the fact that PDF files are commonly used in business and educational environments where users frequently open documents from email attachments or web downloads. The security implications extend beyond simple code execution as the attacker could potentially escalate privileges or access sensitive data depending on the execution context and system configuration. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1203 Exploitation for Client Execution, which describes how adversaries use software vulnerabilities to execute malicious code on target systems.
The mitigation strategy for CVE-2010-20010 primarily involves updating to Foxit PDF Reader version 4.2.0.0928 or later, which contains the necessary bounds checking fixes to prevent the buffer overflow condition. Organizations should also implement defensive measures such as restricting PDF file execution in email systems, using sandboxing technologies, and deploying network-based intrusion detection systems that can identify suspicious PDF file patterns. Additionally, users should be educated about the risks of opening PDF files from untrusted sources and should verify file integrity before opening. The vulnerability highlights the importance of proper input validation and bounds checking in security-critical applications, particularly those that process untrusted data from external sources. Security teams should also consider implementing application whitelisting policies that restrict execution of PDF readers to only trusted versions and monitor for unusual PDF processing activities that might indicate exploitation attempts.