CVE-2017-16581 in Foxit
Summary
by MITRE
This vulnerability allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code 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 author attribute of the Document object. 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-5282.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/16/2019
This vulnerability in Foxit Reader 8.3.2.25013 represents a critical remote code execution flaw that demonstrates a classic object-oriented programming error in the document processing component. The vulnerability specifically affects the author attribute handling within the Document object, where the software fails to validate whether an object exists before attempting operations on it. This type of flaw falls under CWE-476 which describes NULL Pointer Dereference, a common weakness that can lead to arbitrary code execution when attackers manipulate object references in unexpected ways. The vulnerability was identified and tracked as ZDI-CAN-5282, indicating it was discovered through the Zero Day Initiative's vulnerability disclosure program.
The exploitation mechanism requires user interaction through either visiting a malicious webpage or opening a specially crafted malicious file, making this a typical client-side attack vector. This approach aligns with ATT&CK technique T1203 which describes Exploitation for Client Execution, where attackers target vulnerabilities in commonly used applications to gain remote code execution. The vulnerability's impact is significant because it allows attackers to execute code under the privileges of the current process, potentially leading to complete system compromise if the application runs with elevated permissions. The flaw essentially creates a path where an attacker can inject malicious code that gets executed when the vulnerable application processes a crafted document.
The technical implications of this vulnerability extend beyond simple code execution, as it represents a fundamental failure in input validation and object management within the Foxit Reader application. When the Document object's author attribute is manipulated, the application's handling of this attribute does not properly check for object existence before proceeding with operations, creating an exploitable condition that can be leveraged through carefully crafted input. This vulnerability type is particularly dangerous because it can be triggered through multiple attack vectors including web-based delivery and file-based attacks, making it difficult to defend against completely. The lack of proper validation creates a window of opportunity for attackers to manipulate the application's execution flow and potentially escalate privileges.
Organizations using Foxit Reader 8.3.2.25013 should immediately implement mitigations including updating to a patched version of the software, implementing web filtering controls to prevent access to malicious sites, and educating users about the dangers of opening untrusted files. Network-based defenses such as intrusion prevention systems can help detect and block exploitation attempts, while endpoint protection solutions should be configured to monitor for suspicious process execution patterns. The vulnerability highlights the importance of proper input validation and object lifecycle management in security-critical applications, serving as a reminder that even seemingly minor flaws in object handling can result in severe consequences. Organizations should also consider implementing application whitelisting policies to prevent unauthorized applications from executing on their systems, reducing the potential impact of such vulnerabilities.