CVE-2018-10485 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 U3D Texture Height structures. 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 data structure. An attacker can leverage this in conjunction with other vulnerabilities to execute code in the context of the current process. Was ZDI-CAN-5412.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/06/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-10485 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 issue stems from inadequate input validation mechanisms within the software's handling of Universal 3D (U3D) file formats, specifically within the texture height structure processing components. The vulnerability operates at the intersection of memory safety and data validation, creating a pathway for unauthorized data access that could expose sensitive information stored in memory regions beyond the intended boundaries of allocated data structures.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs when Foxit Reader processes U3D files containing specially crafted texture height parameters. The software fails to properly validate the bounds of user-supplied data during the parsing of these structures, leading to a classic buffer over-read condition. This flaw is categorized under CWE-125 as an "Out-of-Bounds Read" where the application attempts to read memory locations beyond the allocated buffer boundaries. The improper validation allows malicious actors to manipulate the U3D file format in such a way that when processed by the vulnerable reader, it triggers memory access violations that can expose confidential data residing in adjacent memory locations.
From an operational perspective, exploitation of this vulnerability requires user interaction through either visiting a malicious webpage that loads a crafted U3D file or opening a malicious document containing such file structures. This user interaction requirement places the vulnerability in the category of client-side attack vectors that align with ATT&CK technique T1203 - Exploitation for Client Execution. The attack surface is particularly concerning as it targets a widely used PDF reader application, making it susceptible to various delivery mechanisms including phishing campaigns, malicious websites, and compromised documents distributed through social engineering tactics. The vulnerability's potential for code execution in conjunction with other exploits makes it particularly dangerous in targeted attack scenarios.
The impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure to potentially enable more severe compromise conditions. While the primary effect is read access to memory regions beyond allocated buffers, this can expose sensitive data including application memory contents, cryptographic keys, or other confidential information. The vulnerability's classification as a remote attack vector means that exploitation can occur without physical access to the target system, making it particularly attractive to threat actors conducting large-scale campaigns. Security professionals should note that this vulnerability demonstrates the importance of robust input validation and memory safety practices in document processing applications, particularly those handling complex binary formats like U3D which are commonly embedded in PDF documents for 3D content rendering.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including updating to patched versions of Foxit Reader, implementing network-based controls to block suspicious U3D file content, and educating users about the risks of opening untrusted documents. The vulnerability highlights the necessity of comprehensive security testing for document parsers and the importance of sandboxing techniques to limit the potential impact of such memory safety issues. Additionally, the vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical need for regular security updates and the implementation of defense-in-depth strategies to protect against similar flaws in other software applications handling complex binary formats.