CVE-2017-14830 in Foxit
Summary
by MITRE
This vulnerability allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code on vulnerable installations of Foxit Reader 8.3.1.21155. 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 setFocus method of XFAScriptObject objects. The issue results from the lack of proper validation of user-supplied data, which can result in a type confusion condition. An attacker can leverage this to execute code in the context of the current process. Was ZDI-CAN-5022.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/16/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-14830 represents a critical security flaw in Foxit Reader version 8.3.1.21155 that enables remote code execution through a type confusion vulnerability within the XFAScriptObject's setFocus method. This issue falls under the CWE-476 category of NULL Pointer Dereference, though the actual exploitation mechanism involves type confusion that allows attackers to manipulate object types during runtime operations. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it requires only user interaction to exploit, making it highly effective in phishing campaigns or malicious web delivery scenarios where users must simply visit a compromised website or open a crafted document.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability lies in insufficient input validation within the XFAScriptObject implementation, specifically within the setFocus method that handles user-supplied data without proper type checking or sanitization. When malicious data is passed to this method, the application fails to properly validate the data types, leading to a condition where objects can be incorrectly interpreted as different types during execution. This type confusion allows an attacker to manipulate the memory layout of objects and potentially overwrite critical function pointers or execute arbitrary code within the context of the Foxit Reader process. The vulnerability is classified as a remote code execution flaw because it can be triggered through web-based attacks without requiring local system access.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability creates a significant risk for organizations that rely on Foxit Reader for document processing, as it can be exploited through standard web browsing activities or by opening malicious PDF files. The attack surface is broad since Foxit Reader is commonly used across various industries including finance, healthcare, and government sectors where document security is paramount. The exploitation requires user interaction, which means social engineering campaigns can be highly effective in compromising systems, making this vulnerability particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where user awareness may be limited. The fact that the vulnerability exists in the XFAScriptObject component suggests that it affects the application's ability to properly handle JavaScript-like scripting within PDF documents, which is a core feature of modern PDF readers.
Security professionals should consider this vulnerability in the context of the ATT&CK framework, particularly under the T1203 category of Exploitation for Client Execution, where adversaries leverage software vulnerabilities to execute code on target systems. The mitigation strategies should include immediate patching of Foxit Reader installations to the latest version that addresses this specific vulnerability, as well as implementing network-based controls such as web application firewalls and content filtering to block access to known malicious domains. Organizations should also consider implementing user education programs to reduce the risk of successful exploitation through social engineering attacks. Additionally, system administrators should monitor for suspicious activity related to Foxit Reader processes and implement least privilege principles to limit the potential impact of successful exploitation. The vulnerability's classification as ZDI-CAN-5022 indicates it was recognized by the Zero Day Initiative, highlighting its significance in the cybersecurity community and the need for prompt remediation across affected systems.