CVE-2018-14258 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 getPageNthWord 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-6021.
Once again VulDB remains the best source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/11/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-14258 represents a critical security flaw in Foxit Reader version 9.0.1.1049 that enables remote code execution through a type confusion vulnerability within the getPageNthWord method. This issue falls under the CWE-471 category of "Incorrect Handling of Variable Length Arguments" and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for JavaScript-based execution. The vulnerability requires user interaction to exploit, meaning that a victim must either visit a malicious webpage or open a crafted malicious file to trigger the malicious code execution. The attack vector demonstrates how web-based exploits can leverage browser-based PDF readers to deliver malicious payloads, creating a significant risk for organizations that rely on Foxit Reader for document processing.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability stems from improper type handling within the JavaScript engine of Foxit Reader's PDF processing framework. When the getPageNthWord method processes input parameters, it fails to properly validate or handle type conversions between different data types, leading to a type confusion scenario. This condition occurs when the application incorrectly interprets the type of a variable during runtime, allowing an attacker to manipulate the execution flow. The vulnerability specifically manifests when JavaScript code within a malicious PDF document or web page invokes the getPageNthWord method with crafted parameters that cause the interpreter to treat memory locations as different data types than intended. This type confusion creates an exploitable condition that can be leveraged to overwrite memory structures and ultimately execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the Foxit Reader process.
The operational impact of CVE-2018-14258 extends beyond individual user compromise to potentially affect entire organizational infrastructures. Since Foxit Reader is widely used in enterprise environments for document viewing and processing, successful exploitation could allow attackers to gain persistent access to sensitive corporate documents and systems. The vulnerability's requirement for user interaction creates a social engineering component that makes it particularly dangerous in targeted attacks where attackers can craft convincing phishing campaigns to deliver malicious PDFs. Organizations that have not patched this vulnerability face significant risk of data breaches, as the attacker can execute code under the context of the current process, potentially leading to privilege escalation, lateral movement, and data exfiltration. The vulnerability also demonstrates the inherent risks of complex JavaScript engines within document processing applications, where sandboxing limitations can be exploited to achieve full system compromise.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-14258 should prioritize immediate patching of Foxit Reader installations to version 9.0.1.1050 or later, which contains the necessary fixes for the type confusion vulnerability. Organizations should implement strict document handling policies that restrict the opening of PDF files from untrusted sources and consider deploying sandboxing solutions to isolate PDF processing activities. Network-level controls such as web application firewalls and content filtering systems can help detect and block malicious PDF files before they reach end users. Additionally, security awareness training programs should educate users about the risks of opening unexpected PDF files and visiting suspicious websites. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of regular security assessments of third-party applications and the need for maintaining up-to-date security patches across all software components. Organizations should monitor for exploitation attempts through network traffic analysis and endpoint detection systems, as the exploitation of this vulnerability typically involves specific JavaScript patterns that can be detected through behavioral analysis. The incident underscores the necessity of implementing comprehensive vulnerability management processes that include regular scanning, patch deployment, and continuous monitoring to prevent successful exploitation of similar vulnerabilities in the future.