CVE-2018-10302 in Foxit Reader
Summary
by MITRE
A use-after-free in Foxit Reader before 9.1 and PhantomPDF before 9.1 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code, aka iDefense ID V-jyb51g3mv9.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/03/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-10302 represents a critical use-after-free flaw affecting Foxit Reader versions prior to 9.1 and PhantomPDF versions before 9.1. This type of vulnerability occurs when a program continues to reference memory that has already been freed, creating a scenario where attackers can manipulate the memory state to execute malicious code. The flaw specifically resides in the handling of PDF objects within these PDF readers, making it particularly dangerous as PDF files are commonly shared and opened across various platforms and environments. The vulnerability was discovered and reported by iDefense, which assigned it the identifier V-jyb51g3mv9, highlighting the sophisticated nature of the attack vector.
The technical implementation of this use-after-free vulnerability involves the improper management of memory allocation and deallocation within the PDF parsing components of these applications. When processing certain malformed PDF documents, the reader fails to properly validate object references before freeing memory resources, creating a window where attacker-controlled data can be used to overwrite freed memory regions. This memory corruption allows for arbitrary code execution with the privileges of the user running the affected software. The flaw can be exploited remotely through malicious PDF files delivered via email attachments, web downloads, or other attack vectors that prompt users to open PDF documents.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution, as it represents a significant threat to enterprise security environments where PDF documents are frequently exchanged. Attackers can craft specially designed PDF files that, when opened by an unpatched version of Foxit Reader or PhantomPDF, will trigger the memory corruption and provide remote code execution capabilities. This vulnerability directly relates to CWE-416, which describes the use of freed memory condition, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter usage. The remote exploitation capability means that organizations cannot simply rely on network segmentation to protect against this threat, as the attack can originate from external sources and execute code on victim machines without requiring physical access or additional privileges.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should prioritize immediate patching of all Foxit Reader and PhantomPDF installations to version 9.1 or later, as provided by the vendors. System administrators should implement strict controls over PDF file handling, including email filtering and web content restrictions, to prevent automatic execution of potentially malicious documents. Network monitoring solutions should be configured to detect suspicious PDF file transfers and access patterns. The mitigation strategy should also include user education about the risks of opening unexpected PDF files and implementing application whitelisting policies that restrict execution of unauthorized PDF readers. Additionally, organizations should conduct vulnerability assessments to identify all systems running affected versions and establish monitoring procedures to detect exploitation attempts, as the use-after-free nature of the vulnerability can be difficult to detect through traditional security controls.