CVE-2017-10945 in Foxit
Summary
by MITRE
This vulnerability allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code on vulnerable installations of Foxit Reader 8.3.0.14878. User interaction is required to exploit this vulnerability in that the target must visit a malicious page or open a malicious file. The specific flaw exists within the app.alert function. The issue results from the lack of validating the existence of an object prior to performing operations on the object. An attacker can leverage this vulnerability to execute code under the context of the current process. Was ZDI-CAN-4855.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/21/2021
CVE-2017-10945 represents a critical remote code execution vulnerability affecting Foxit Reader version 8.3.0.14878 that demonstrates a classic object validation flaw within the application's alert handling mechanism. This vulnerability resides in the app.alert function where the software fails to properly validate whether an object exists before attempting operations on it, creating a dangerous condition that allows attackers to manipulate memory structures through crafted malicious content. The vulnerability specifically aligns with CWE-476 which describes NULL Pointer Dereference issues, where the application does not check for null object references before invoking methods or accessing properties. The attack vector requires user interaction through visiting a malicious webpage or opening a specially crafted PDF file, making this a typical client-side exploitation scenario that follows the ATT&CK technique T1203 for Exploitation for Client Execution.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper input validation within Foxit Reader's JavaScript engine, where the app.alert function processes user-provided data without adequate sanitization or object existence verification. When an attacker constructs a malicious PDF document containing crafted JavaScript code that triggers the vulnerable app.alert function, the application's failure to validate object references allows for arbitrary code execution within the context of the current process. This privilege escalation occurs because the application executes with the same permissions as the user running Foxit Reader, potentially enabling attackers to access sensitive data, modify files, or establish persistence mechanisms. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond simple code execution as it represents a complete compromise of the affected system's security boundaries, particularly when users frequently open PDF documents from untrusted sources.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-10945 is significant for organizations relying on Foxit Reader for document processing, as the vulnerability can be exploited through various attack vectors including phishing campaigns, malicious websites, or compromised document repositories. Security teams must consider the wide attack surface that this vulnerability presents, particularly in environments where users have broad access to PDF documents from external sources. The exploitability characteristics make this vulnerability particularly dangerous in enterprise settings where users may inadvertently encounter malicious content during routine document handling activities. Organizations should also recognize that this vulnerability demonstrates the importance of maintaining up-to-date software versions and implementing proper security controls around document handling processes, as the flaw exists in a widely used PDF reader application that many users trust for document viewing. The vulnerability's classification as a remote code execution flaw means that attackers can potentially compromise systems without requiring physical access or additional attack vectors beyond delivering malicious content to targets.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-10945 should include immediate software updates to Foxit Reader versions that address the specific object validation flaw in the app.alert function, while also implementing network-level controls such as web application firewalls and content filtering to prevent access to known malicious domains. Security teams should deploy sandboxing mechanisms for PDF document processing and establish user education programs to reduce the risk of successful exploitation through social engineering tactics. Additionally, implementing least privilege principles for PDF reader applications and monitoring for unusual process execution patterns can help detect potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of proper software security testing including input validation and object reference checking as part of the development lifecycle, aligning with security standards such as those outlined in the OWASP Top Ten and NIST SP 800-53 security controls. Organizations should also consider implementing endpoint detection and response solutions that can identify suspicious JavaScript execution patterns and anomalous behavior consistent with exploitation attempts of similar vulnerabilities.