CVE-2018-10490 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 JPEG images embedded inside U3D files. The issue results from the lack of proper validation of user-supplied data, which can result in a memory access past the end of an allocated data structure. An attacker can leverage this vulnerability to execute code under the context of the current process. Was ZDI-CAN-5422.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/06/2020
CVE-2018-10490 represents a critical buffer overflow vulnerability affecting Foxit Reader version 9.0.0.29935 that enables remote code execution through crafted JPEG images embedded within U3D files. This vulnerability operates under the CWE-125 weakness category, which specifically addresses out-of-bounds read conditions that can lead to memory corruption and arbitrary code execution. The flaw manifests during the parsing of JPEG images contained within Universal 3D (U3D) files, where the application fails to properly validate user-supplied data before processing. The vulnerability stems from insufficient bounds checking mechanisms that allow attackers to manipulate memory structures beyond their allocated boundaries, creating opportunities for memory access violations and subsequent code execution.
The exploitation of this vulnerability requires user interaction through either visiting a malicious webpage or opening a malicious file, making it a client-side attack vector that aligns with ATT&CK technique T1203 - Exploitation for Client Execution. When a user interacts with the malicious content, the vulnerable parsing routine processes the JPEG data without adequate validation, causing the application to read beyond allocated memory regions. This memory corruption can be leveraged by attackers to overwrite critical memory locations, potentially redirecting program execution flow to malicious code injected by the attacker. The vulnerability exists at the intersection of multiple security domains including memory management, input validation, and application sandboxing principles.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution to encompass potential privilege escalation and system compromise. Since the exploit operates within the context of the current process, attackers can potentially gain access to sensitive user data, modify system files, or establish persistent backdoors through the compromised application. The vulnerability affects a widely used PDF reader application, making it particularly dangerous as it can be triggered through legitimate PDF document viewing activities. Organizations running affected versions of Foxit Reader face significant risk exposure, as the attack surface includes web browsers, email clients, and document sharing platforms that may automatically open PDF attachments.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-10490 should include immediate application updates to patched versions, network-based filtering of suspicious PDF content, and user education regarding dangerous file attachments. Security administrators should implement application whitelisting policies to restrict execution of untrusted PDF files, while also deploying intrusion detection systems to monitor for exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input validation and memory safety practices in document processing applications, as highlighted by industry standards such as the OWASP Top Ten and NIST guidelines for secure coding practices. Organizations should also consider implementing sandboxing technologies to isolate PDF processing activities and reduce the potential impact of successful exploitation attempts.