CVE-2017-10953 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 gotoURL method. The issue results from the lack of proper validation of a user-supplied string before using it to execute a system call. An attacker can leverage this vulnerability to execute code under the context of the current process. Was ZDI-CAN-5030.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/02/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-10953 represents a critical remote code execution flaw in Foxit Reader version 8.3.0.14878 that demonstrates a classic improper input validation issue. This vulnerability resides within the gotoURL method of the PDF reader application, which is designed to handle URL navigation within PDF documents. The flaw stems from insufficient sanitization of user-supplied strings that are subsequently passed to system calls without proper validation, creating a dangerous attack surface where malicious input can be directly translated into executable commands. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-78 as a "Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an OS Command" which directly maps to the improper handling of user input in system command execution contexts.
Attackers can exploit this vulnerability through two primary vectors: visiting a malicious webpage that loads a specially crafted PDF document or opening a malicious PDF file directly. The attack requires user interaction to succeed, as the victim must either navigate to a compromised web page or open the malicious document, making this a type of social engineering attack that leverages the trust users place in PDF documents. The exploitation process involves crafting a malicious URL string that bypasses normal validation checks and gets executed with the privileges of the current process, potentially allowing full system compromise. This vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it operates at the application level within the PDF rendering engine, bypassing many traditional security boundaries that separate user applications from system-level operations.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution, as it provides attackers with the ability to operate within the security context of the Foxit Reader process, which typically has access to the user's file system and can potentially escalate privileges through additional attack vectors. The vulnerability affects all versions of Foxit Reader up to and including 8.3.0.14878, making it a widespread concern for organizations that rely on this PDF reader for document viewing. The attack surface is particularly broad since PDF documents can be distributed through multiple channels including email attachments, web downloads, and removable media, making it difficult to fully protect against such attacks. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for "Command and Scripting Interpreter: JavaScript' as the malicious code execution often occurs through JavaScript embedded within PDF documents that triggers the vulnerable gotoURL method.
Organizations should implement multiple layers of defense to mitigate this vulnerability, starting with immediate patching of all affected Foxit Reader installations to the latest available versions that contain the necessary security fixes. Network-based protections such as web application firewalls and content filtering solutions should be configured to block access to known malicious PDF content and suspicious URL patterns. User education and awareness programs should emphasize the dangers of opening unexpected PDF files or visiting untrusted websites that may contain malicious content. Additionally, system hardening measures including restricting file execution permissions, implementing application whitelisting policies, and monitoring for unusual process execution patterns can help detect and prevent exploitation attempts. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of input validation and proper sanitization in security-critical applications, particularly those that handle user-supplied content and execute system commands based on that input.