CVE-2018-11622 in Foxit
Summary
by MITRE
This vulnerability allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code on vulnerable installations of Foxit Reader 9.0.1.1049. 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 ConvertToPDF_x86.dll. 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 in the context of the current process. Was ZDI-CAN-5873.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/11/2020
CVE-2018-11622 represents a critical buffer overflow vulnerability affecting Foxit Reader version 9.0.1.1049 that enables remote code execution through improper input validation within the ConvertToPDF_x86.dll component. This vulnerability falls under the CWE-121 buffer overflow category, specifically manifesting as a write past the end of an allocated object, which represents a fundamental memory safety issue that allows attackers to overwrite adjacent memory locations. The flaw exists within the PDF conversion functionality of the software, where user-supplied data is not properly validated before being processed by the ConvertToPDF_x86.dll module. Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by crafting malicious PDF files or web pages that trigger the vulnerable code path during the PDF conversion process, requiring only user interaction to visit a malicious webpage or open a specially crafted document. The vulnerability operates at the application level and can be leveraged to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the current process, potentially leading to complete system compromise. This type of vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter, as the execution of malicious code could occur through various vectors including script-based attacks. The security implications are severe as the vulnerability enables attackers to bypass traditional security controls by operating within the legitimate application context, making detection more challenging. The affected ConvertToPDF_x86.dll component represents a critical attack surface within the Foxit Reader application architecture, where insufficient input sanitization allows attackers to manipulate memory layout and potentially overwrite critical program structures. This vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper bounds checking and memory management practices in software development, particularly within components that handle untrusted input data. The exploitability requires user interaction but does not demand elevated privileges, making it particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where users may encounter malicious content through email attachments or web browsing. Organizations should consider implementing network segmentation and content filtering to prevent users from accessing potentially malicious PDF content, while also applying the vendor-provided patches as soon as they become available. The vulnerability highlights the need for robust software supply chain security practices and emphasizes the critical importance of regular security updates and vulnerability management programs. This particular flaw represents a classic example of how buffer overflow vulnerabilities in document processing software can provide attackers with persistent access to target systems. The technical exploitation involves manipulating the PDF parsing process to trigger the memory corruption, which then allows for code execution within the application's memory space. From a defensive perspective, this vulnerability underscores the importance of application whitelisting and sandboxing techniques that can limit the impact of such exploits. The vulnerability also demonstrates the necessity of comprehensive security testing including fuzzing and memory safety analysis to identify similar issues in software components. Given the nature of the vulnerability, organizations should conduct thorough risk assessments to determine if their users are exposed to potential exploitation through web browsing or document handling activities. The patching process for this vulnerability should include verification of the updated software versions to ensure that the memory safety issues within ConvertToPDF_x86.dll have been properly addressed. This vulnerability serves as a reminder of the ongoing challenges in securing document processing applications and the importance of maintaining up-to-date security practices throughout the software lifecycle.