CVE-2018-14261 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 getTemplate 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-6024.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/11/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-14261 represents a critical security flaw in Foxit Reader version 9.0.1.1049 that enables remote code execution through a type confusion vulnerability. This issue falls under the CWE-476 category of NULL Pointer Dereference, though the actual mechanism involves more complex type handling errors within the PDF rendering engine. The vulnerability specifically manifests within the getTemplate method of the application's JavaScript engine, which processes PDF objects and template structures during document parsing. Attackers can exploit this weakness by crafting malicious PDF files or web pages that contain specially constructed JavaScript code designed to trigger the type confusion condition.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability requires an attacker to convince a victim to open a malicious PDF document or visit a compromised website hosting the malicious content. This requirement places the vulnerability in the category of user-interaction dependent attacks, aligning with ATT&CK technique T1203 - Exploitation for Client Execution. The type confusion occurs when the JavaScript engine fails to properly validate data types during the getTemplate method execution, allowing an attacker to manipulate memory structures and potentially overwrite critical program variables or function pointers. This flaw essentially allows attackers to manipulate the execution flow of the application, executing arbitrary code within the security context of the currently running Foxit Reader process.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe as it provides attackers with complete control over the affected system where Foxit Reader is installed. Since the code executes under the privileges of the current user context, attackers can potentially access sensitive documents, establish persistent backdoors, or escalate privileges if the user has administrative rights. The vulnerability affects not only individual users but also organizations that rely on Foxit Reader for document processing, creating potential for widespread compromise across enterprise environments. The exploitation typically results in a denial of service condition followed by remote code execution, making it particularly dangerous for targeted attacks.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-14261 include immediate patching of Foxit Reader to version 9.0.1.1050 or later, which addresses the type confusion vulnerability through improved input validation and memory management in the getTemplate method. Organizations should also implement strict file validation policies, particularly for PDF documents received from untrusted sources, and consider deploying web application firewalls or content filtering solutions to prevent access to malicious PDF content. Network segmentation and privilege separation can help limit the potential impact of successful exploitation, while regular security awareness training can reduce the likelihood of users encountering and interacting with malicious content. Additionally, monitoring for suspicious PDF file access patterns and implementing application whitelisting policies can provide additional layers of defense against this type of attack.