CVE-2018-10477 in Foxit
Summary
by MITRE
This vulnerability allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code on vulnerable installations of Foxit Reader 9.0.0.29935. 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 U3D Chain Index objects. The issue results from the lack of proper validation of user-supplied data, which can result in a write 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-5396.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/06/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-10477 represents a critical heap-based buffer overflow in Foxit Reader version 9.0.0.29935 that enables remote code execution under specific conditions. This flaw resides within the PDF parsing functionality of the document viewer, specifically in how it handles U3D Chain Index objects which are used to represent 3D content within PDF documents. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation mechanisms that fail to properly sanitize user-supplied data during the parsing process, creating an exploitable condition where maliciously crafted PDF files can trigger memory corruption. The issue manifests when the application attempts to process malformed U3D Chain Index data, leading to a write operation that exceeds the bounds of allocated memory buffers, potentially allowing attackers to overwrite adjacent memory regions with controlled data.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability requires user interaction through either visiting a malicious webpage that hosts a crafted PDF file or opening a specifically designed malicious document. This requirement aligns with attack patterns commonly classified under the ATT&CK framework's initial access and execution phases, where adversaries must establish a foothold through social engineering or web-based delivery mechanisms. The buffer overflow occurs during the parsing of 3D content within PDF documents, which makes this vulnerability particularly concerning given the widespread use of PDF viewers and the increasing integration of 3D content in business and educational documents. The vulnerability's classification as a heap-based buffer overflow places it within CWE-121, which specifically addresses heap-based buffer overflow conditions that can lead to arbitrary code execution.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple remote code execution, as it allows attackers to operate under the privileges of the currently running Foxit Reader process, potentially enabling full system compromise if the application runs with elevated permissions. This type of vulnerability represents a significant threat to enterprise environments where PDF documents are frequently shared and opened, as the attack surface expands to include web browsers, email clients, and document management systems that integrate with Foxit Reader. The exploitation of this vulnerability can lead to persistent malware installation, credential theft, lateral movement within networks, and complete system compromise, making it a high-priority target for threat actors. Organizations using vulnerable versions of Foxit Reader face substantial risk exposure, particularly in environments where users frequently access untrusted PDF content from external sources.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-10477 should focus on immediate remediation through official vendor patches, as Foxit released updates to address the buffer overflow condition in their software. System administrators should implement strict PDF file validation policies, including content filtering and sandboxing mechanisms that prevent automatic execution of embedded content. Network-level protections such as web application firewalls and content inspection systems can help detect and block malicious PDF files before they reach end users. Additionally, user education programs should emphasize the importance of avoiding untrusted PDF sources and implementing security awareness training to reduce successful exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date software patches and implementing defense-in-depth strategies that include multiple layers of security controls to protect against similar memory corruption vulnerabilities in document processing software. Organizations should also consider implementing automated vulnerability scanning tools that can identify and remediate outdated software versions that may be susceptible to similar exploitation techniques.