CVE-2018-14271 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 removeField 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-6034.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/11/2020
CVE-2018-14271 represents a critical type confusion vulnerability in Foxit Reader version 9.0.1.1049 that enables remote code execution through malicious web content or files. This vulnerability resides within the removeField method of the PDF processing engine, where improper type handling creates a condition that allows attackers to manipulate memory structures. The flaw specifically manifests when JavaScript commands are executed within the context of a PDF document, triggering a type confusion error that can be exploited to overwrite memory locations with malicious code. The vulnerability requires user interaction to be successfully exploited, meaning that victims must either visit a malicious webpage hosting the exploit or open a specially crafted PDF file containing the malicious JavaScript code. This attack vector aligns with common social engineering techniques used in phishing campaigns and drive-by download attacks, making it particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where users frequently interact with untrusted web content. The technical implementation of this vulnerability demonstrates a classic type confusion issue where the application fails to properly validate data types during JavaScript execution, allowing an attacker to manipulate object references and execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the currently running Foxit Reader process. This represents a significant security risk as it bypasses standard operating system security mechanisms and can potentially lead to full system compromise. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-476 as a NULL Pointer Dereference, though the actual exploitation involves more complex type confusion patterns that allow for arbitrary code execution rather than simple crashes. From an operational perspective, this vulnerability impacts organizations using Foxit Reader for document viewing, as the attack can occur through email attachments, web downloads, or malicious websites without requiring any special privileges or complex attack infrastructure. The attack chain typically begins with a user visiting a compromised website or opening a malicious PDF file, which triggers the JavaScript execution that exploits the type confusion in the removeField method, ultimately allowing the attacker to execute malicious code on the victim's system. Organizations should prioritize patching this vulnerability immediately, as the lack of exploit complexity and the widespread use of Foxit Reader make it a prime target for attackers. Mitigation strategies include implementing web filtering solutions, disabling JavaScript in PDF readers when possible, and conducting user awareness training to recognize potentially malicious content. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of proper input validation and type checking in PDF processing libraries, as similar issues have been identified in other PDF readers and document processing applications. Security professionals should monitor for indicators of compromise related to this vulnerability, particularly in network traffic and endpoint detection systems, as the exploitation typically involves specific JavaScript patterns that can be detected through behavioral analysis. The attack surface extends beyond individual user machines to include enterprise environments where multiple users may be simultaneously exposed to the same malicious content, making it essential for security teams to implement comprehensive patch management processes and vulnerability assessment procedures to identify and remediate affected systems. This vulnerability exemplifies the ongoing challenges in PDF security and the need for continuous security assessments of document processing applications that handle untrusted content from diverse sources.