CVE-2018-14249 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 the exportDataObject method. By performing actions in JavaScript, an attacker can trigger a type confusion condition. An attacker can leverage this vulnerability to execute code under the context of the current process. Was ZDI-CAN-6012.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/11/2020
CVE-2018-14249 represents a critical type confusion vulnerability affecting Foxit Reader version 9.0.1.1049 that enables remote code execution through carefully crafted JavaScript operations. This vulnerability resides within the exportDataObject method of the PDF reader's JavaScript engine, where improper type handling creates conditions that allow attackers to manipulate memory structures and execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the currently running process. The flaw specifically manifests when the application processes malformed data objects during PDF document rendering, creating opportunities for attackers to manipulate object types in memory and subsequently redirect execution flow.
The vulnerability requires user interaction to exploit, meaning that targets must either visit a malicious web page hosting the exploit or open a specially crafted malicious PDF file. This delivery mechanism aligns with common attack patterns described in the ATT&CK framework under initial access and execution techniques where adversaries leverage web-based attacks to deliver payloads. The type confusion aspect of this vulnerability maps directly to CWE-128, which describes the condition where an attacker can cause a program to treat data as if it were of a different type, leading to memory corruption and potential code execution. The JavaScript-based triggering mechanism demonstrates how web-based PDF readers become attack vectors when they fail to properly validate object types during runtime operations.
From an operational impact perspective, successful exploitation of this vulnerability provides attackers with complete control over the victim's system, as the code executes under the context of the Foxit Reader process. This creates opportunities for privilege escalation, lateral movement, and data exfiltration within the target environment. The vulnerability's presence in a widely used PDF reader application means that organizations with standard business processes involving PDF document handling become potential attack surfaces. Security professionals should note that this vulnerability represents a significant risk to enterprise environments where PDF documents are frequently shared and opened, as the attack vector requires minimal user interaction beyond normal document opening procedures. The vulnerability's classification as a remote code execution flaw places it in the highest severity category according to standard risk assessment methodologies.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-14249 should focus on immediate patching of Foxit Reader installations to version 9.0.1.1050 or later, which contains the necessary fixes for the type confusion condition. Organizations should implement network-based protections such as web application firewalls and content filtering solutions to block access to known malicious domains and file types. Additionally, user education programs should emphasize the importance of only opening PDF documents from trusted sources and avoiding suspicious web pages. Security monitoring should include detection of unusual JavaScript execution patterns and memory access anomalies that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability's characteristics make it particularly suitable for targeted attacks, so organizations should consider implementing endpoint detection and response solutions to identify and contain potential exploitation attempts. Regular security assessments of document processing applications should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other PDF readers and office suites that might present similar attack surfaces.