CVE-2017-16579 in Foxit
Summary
by MITRE
This vulnerability allows remote attackers to disclose sensitive information on vulnerable installations of Foxit Reader 8.3.2.25013. 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 parsing of JPEG2000 images. The issue results from the lack of proper validation of user-supplied data, which can result in a read past the end of an allocated object. An attacker can leverage this vulnerability to execute code under the context of the current process. Was ZDI-CAN-5244.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/16/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-16579 represents a critical information disclosure flaw affecting Foxit Reader version 8.3.2.25013 and potentially other versions within the same release cycle. This security weakness resides within the application's handling of JPEG2000 image files, which are commonly used for high-quality document imaging and are frequently encountered in PDF documents. The vulnerability's classification as a remote code execution risk stems from the fact that attackers can exploit this flaw without requiring local system access, making it particularly dangerous for widespread deployment.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability lies in improper input validation during the JPEG2000 image parsing process, which creates a buffer over-read condition. When Foxit Reader encounters a malformed JPEG2000 image file, the application fails to properly validate the boundaries of user-supplied data before processing it. This lack of boundary checking allows an attacker to craft specially designed malicious JPEG2000 files that cause the application to read memory locations beyond the intended data buffer. The vulnerability manifests as a read past the end of an allocated object, which is categorized under CWE-125 in the Common Weakness Enumeration system. This type of flaw typically occurs when developers assume that input data will always conform to expected formats without implementing adequate bounds checking mechanisms.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it provides attackers with a potential pathway for remote code execution. When a user visits a malicious webpage containing embedded malicious JPEG2000 content or opens a specially crafted document, the vulnerability can be triggered. The attack vector requires user interaction, making social engineering a critical component of exploitation, but once activated, the flaw can result in complete system compromise. The vulnerability's exploitation can lead to unauthorized access to sensitive system information, including memory contents that may contain passwords, encryption keys, or other confidential data. This risk is particularly severe given that Foxit Reader is widely used for document viewing, making it a prime target for attackers seeking to compromise end-user systems through document-based attacks.
The exploitation of this vulnerability aligns with several tactics described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework, particularly those related to initial access and execution. Attackers can leverage this flaw through malicious websites or documents, which fall under the initial access category, while the resulting code execution capability corresponds to execution-based attack patterns. The vulnerability's presence in a widely deployed PDF reader application makes it attractive to threat actors targeting enterprise environments where document viewing applications are frequently used. Security professionals should note that this vulnerability demonstrates the importance of input validation and memory safety practices, which are fundamental requirements for secure software development. Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including patching the affected software to version 8.3.2.25014 or later, as well as deploying network-based protections such as web application firewalls and content filtering systems to prevent access to malicious content.
The technical characteristics of this vulnerability also highlight the broader challenges in secure image processing within document viewers. JPEG2000 format parsing involves complex mathematical operations and memory management that can create numerous potential attack surfaces. The flaw represents a classic example of how seemingly benign functionality can become a security risk when proper validation mechanisms are absent. The vulnerability's classification as a heap-based buffer overflow variant underscores the need for comprehensive memory safety testing in document processing applications. Security researchers and developers should consider implementing additional safeguards such as stack canaries, address space layout randomization, and other exploit mitigation techniques to reduce the impact of similar vulnerabilities. The incident serves as a reminder of the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date security patches and conducting regular vulnerability assessments of commonly used software applications.