CVE-2014-4646 in PDF SDK DLL
Summary
by MITRE
Buffer overflow in the FPDFBookmark_GetTitle method in Foxit PDF SDK DLL before 3.1.1.5005 allows context-dependent attackers to execute arbitrary code via unspecified vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/20/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-4646 represents a critical buffer overflow condition within the Foxit PDF SDK library, specifically affecting the FPDFBookmark_GetTitle method implementation. This flaw exists in versions prior to 3.1.1.5005 and demonstrates a classic security weakness that can be exploited by context-dependent attackers to achieve arbitrary code execution. The vulnerability stems from insufficient bounds checking during the processing of bookmark title data within PDF documents, creating an exploitable condition where malicious input can overwrite adjacent memory locations.
The technical implementation of this buffer overflow occurs when the FPDFBookmark_GetTitle function processes bookmark data without adequate validation of input length or buffer boundaries. This method is part of the Foxit PDF SDK which is widely used by various applications for PDF document handling and manipulation. The flaw allows attackers to craft malicious PDF files containing specially formatted bookmark data that exceeds the allocated buffer space, leading to memory corruption that can be leveraged for code execution. This type of vulnerability falls under the CWE-121 category of stack-based buffer overflow, where insufficient boundary checking permits data to overwrite adjacent memory regions.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends across numerous applications that utilize the Foxit PDF SDK for document processing, including enterprise document management systems, web browsers with PDF plugins, and desktop applications. Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by embedding malicious bookmark data within PDF files that are opened by vulnerable applications, potentially leading to complete system compromise. The context-dependent nature of the attack means that successful exploitation requires specific conditions related to how the PDF is processed and displayed, but once achieved, the consequences can be severe including remote code execution, privilege escalation, and data theft. This vulnerability directly aligns with ATT&CK technique T1203 which involves exploiting software vulnerabilities to gain unauthorized access to systems.
Organizations utilizing affected versions of the Foxit PDF SDK should prioritize immediate remediation through software updates to version 3.1.1.5005 or later, as this represents the official fix for the buffer overflow condition. Additionally, implementing defensive measures such as input validation for PDF documents, restricting PDF processing capabilities in web applications, and deploying network-based intrusion detection systems can help mitigate exploitation attempts. Security professionals should also consider implementing application whitelisting policies and monitoring for suspicious PDF file processing activities. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date third-party libraries and conducting regular security assessments of software components that handle untrusted data inputs, particularly in environments where PDF processing is a common user activity.