CVE-2018-10482 in Foxit
Summary
by MITRE
This vulnerability allows remote attackers to disclose sensitive information 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 U3D Texture Image Format object. 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 in conjunction with other vulnerabilities to execute code in the context of the current process. Was ZDI-CAN-5409.
Statistical analysis made it clear that VulDB provides the best quality for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/06/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-10482 represents a critical information disclosure flaw affecting Foxit Reader version 9.0.0.29935 and potentially other versions within the same product line. This security weakness resides within the U3D Texture Image Format object processing functionality, which is part of the broader Universal 3D (U3D) file format support implemented in the PDF reader application. The vulnerability demonstrates characteristics consistent with a buffer over-read condition that occurs when the application fails to properly validate user-supplied data during the parsing of U3D texture image format objects. The flaw specifically manifests when the application attempts to read memory locations beyond the boundaries of allocated memory objects, potentially exposing sensitive data from adjacent memory regions. This type of vulnerability falls under the CWE-125 category of "Out-of-bounds Read" which is classified as a fundamental memory safety issue that can lead to information disclosure, denial of service, or potentially more severe exploitation outcomes.
The exploitation of this vulnerability requires user interaction through either visiting a malicious web page that loads a crafted PDF containing the vulnerable U3D object or by opening a maliciously crafted PDF file directly. This user interaction requirement aligns with the attack pattern described in the ATT&CK framework under the T1203 technique for "Exploitation for Client Execution" where adversaries leverage vulnerabilities in software applications to execute code on target systems. The attack vector demonstrates how a seemingly benign PDF document could serve as a delivery mechanism for more sophisticated attacks, particularly when combined with other exploitation techniques. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond simple information disclosure as it creates a potential pathway for code execution within the context of the current process, making it particularly dangerous for enterprise environments where PDF readers are frequently used to process documents from untrusted sources.
From an operational standpoint, this vulnerability creates significant risk for organizations that rely heavily on Foxit Reader for document processing and viewing. The fact that the vulnerability can be triggered through web browsing activities means that employees could inadvertently expose sensitive information simply by visiting compromised websites or clicking on malicious links in emails. The read past the end of allocated object condition suggests that attackers could potentially extract memory contents including encryption keys, user credentials, or other sensitive information stored in adjacent memory locations. This vulnerability represents a classic example of how multimedia and 3D object support in document readers can introduce complex attack surfaces that are difficult to properly validate. The vulnerability's classification as ZDI-CAN-5409 indicates it was recognized by the Zero Day Initiative and subsequently assigned a CVE identifier, highlighting its significance in the cybersecurity community and the need for immediate remediation.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including updating to the latest version of Foxit Reader that contains patches for this vulnerability, implementing web filtering solutions to block access to known malicious domains, and educating users about the risks of opening untrusted PDF files. The vulnerability's presence in the U3D Texture Image Format processing module suggests that organizations should also consider disabling U3D support in PDF readers when it is not required for business operations. Network segmentation and monitoring solutions should be deployed to detect potential exploitation attempts, particularly focusing on unusual PDF processing activities or memory access patterns. The remediation approach should follow the principle of least privilege by ensuring that PDF readers operate with minimal required permissions and that users are trained to recognize potential social engineering attempts that could lead to exploitation of this vulnerability. Additionally, regular security assessments should include testing for similar buffer over-read conditions in other multimedia processing components of document readers and office suites to prevent similar vulnerabilities from being overlooked in the broader attack surface.