CVE-2015-2789 in Foxit
Summary
by MITRE
Unquoted Windows search path vulnerability in the Foxit Cloud Safe Update Service in the Cloud plugin in Foxit Reader 6.1 through 7.0.6.1126 allows local users to gain privileges via a Trojan horse program in the %SYSTEMDRIVE% folder.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/27/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-2789 represents a critical unquoted search path weakness within the Foxit Cloud Safe Update Service component of Foxit Reader versions 6.1 through 7.0.6.1126. This flaw resides in the Cloud plugin's implementation where the update service fails to properly validate or quote the search paths used to locate executable files during the update process. The vulnerability specifically affects the Windows operating system's path resolution mechanism, creating a dangerous condition where malicious actors can place Trojan horse programs in strategic locations within the file system. When the legitimate update service attempts to execute a program, it traverses the search path and inadvertently executes the malicious file placed in the %SYSTEMDRIVE% folder, which is typically the first location searched by Windows when no quotes are present in the path specification. This type of vulnerability falls under the CWE-428 category, which specifically addresses the issue of unquoted search paths, making it a well-documented and recognized security weakness in Windows environments.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation to encompass potential system compromise and data theft. Local users who can write to the %SYSTEMDRIVE% folder can exploit this condition to execute arbitrary code with elevated privileges, as the update service typically runs with system-level permissions. The attack vector is particularly insidious because it leverages legitimate system components to carry out malicious activities, making detection more difficult for security monitoring systems. Attackers can place a malicious executable with the same name as the expected program in the %SYSTEMDRIVE% directory, and when the update service attempts to execute the program, it will load and execute the attacker's malicious code instead of the legitimate one. This vulnerability directly maps to the MITRE ATT&CK technique T1036.005, which covers 'Masquerading: Match Legitimate Name or Location', as attackers can position their malicious files to appear legitimate within the system's search path. The affected Foxit Reader versions represent a broad attack surface, as the Cloud plugin was widely distributed and enabled by default in many enterprise environments, increasing the potential for exploitation.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2015-2789 require both immediate patching and system hardening measures. The most effective solution is to update Foxit Reader to versions that properly quote search paths and eliminate the unquoted path vulnerability. Organizations should implement comprehensive patch management processes to ensure all systems running Foxit Reader are updated promptly. Additionally, system administrators should conduct thorough path analysis to identify and remediate any other unquoted search paths within the system. The principle of least privilege should be enforced by ensuring that the Cloud Safe Update Service runs with minimal necessary permissions. Security monitoring should include detection of suspicious file placements in %SYSTEMDRIVE% and other critical system directories. Network segmentation and access controls should be implemented to restrict local file system access to only authorized users. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper path handling in Windows applications and aligns with security best practices outlined in the OWASP Top Ten and NIST Cybersecurity Framework, particularly in addressing privilege escalation and malicious code execution vectors. Organizations should also consider implementing application whitelisting policies to prevent execution of unauthorized binaries, further reducing the risk associated with such path traversal vulnerabilities.