CVE-2018-14250 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 getAnnot 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-6013.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/11/2020
CVE-2018-14250 represents a critical type confusion vulnerability affecting Foxit Reader version 9.0.1.1049 that enables remote code execution under specific conditions. This vulnerability resides within the getAnnot method of the PDF processing engine, making it particularly dangerous as it can be triggered through web-based attacks or malicious file delivery. The flaw stems from improper handling of object types during JavaScript execution, creating a condition where the application fails to properly validate data types before performing operations. This type confusion vulnerability falls under CWE-466, which specifically addresses the issue of returning a pointer to an object of the wrong type, a condition that can lead to arbitrary code execution when exploited correctly.
The exploitation of this vulnerability requires user interaction, meaning victims must either visit a malicious webpage or open a specially crafted PDF file containing malicious JavaScript code. This attack vector aligns with common social engineering techniques and demonstrates the importance of user awareness in cybersecurity defense. When a user interacts with the malicious content, the JavaScript code triggers the getAnnot method which then processes the malformed input and causes a type confusion error. The underlying mechanism allows attackers to manipulate memory layout and execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the currently running Foxit Reader process. This presents a significant risk as the compromised application typically runs with elevated permissions, potentially allowing attackers to gain system-level access or perform further reconnaissance.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability creates a substantial threat surface for organizations relying on Foxit Reader for document processing. The requirement for user interaction makes it somewhat less severe than fully automated exploits, but still highly dangerous in targeted attack scenarios. The vulnerability can be leveraged by threat actors to establish persistent access, deploy additional malware, or conduct data exfiltration activities. Security professionals should consider this vulnerability in their risk assessment frameworks, particularly when evaluating the security posture of environments where PDF processing is common. The attack pattern associated with this vulnerability maps to ATT&CK technique T1203, which involves exploiting software vulnerabilities to gain access to systems. Organizations should implement layered security controls including web application firewalls, email filtering, and regular patch management to mitigate this risk effectively.
The remediation approach for CVE-2018-14250 involves immediate patch deployment from Foxit Corporation, as the vendor has released security updates addressing this specific vulnerability. Organizations should also implement network segmentation to limit access to PDF processing capabilities and consider sandboxing mechanisms for PDF file handling. Security monitoring should include detection of suspicious JavaScript execution patterns and anomalous behavior in PDF processing applications. Additionally, user education programs should emphasize the dangers of opening unknown PDF files and visiting untrusted websites. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the importance of maintaining up-to-date security patches and implementing defense-in-depth strategies to protect against sophisticated attack vectors that exploit application-level vulnerabilities.