CVE-2018-14274 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 scroll 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-6037.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/11/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-14274 represents a critical security flaw in Foxit Reader version 9.0.1.1049 that enables remote code execution through a type confusion condition within the JavaScript engine. This vulnerability operates under the Common Weakness Enumeration category CWE-129 which encompasses issues related to improper handling of input validation and type checking in software applications. The flaw specifically manifests within the scroll method of the PDF rendering engine, where JavaScript commands can manipulate object types in ways that bypass normal type safety mechanisms. Attackers can exploit this by crafting malicious web pages or PDF files that contain specially designed JavaScript code triggering the type confusion scenario.
The exploitation process requires user interaction through visiting a malicious webpage or opening a compromised PDF document, making this a classic client-side attack vector that aligns with ATT&CK technique T1203 - Exploitation for Client Execution. The type confusion vulnerability occurs when the application's JavaScript engine incorrectly handles object type information during runtime operations, allowing an attacker to manipulate memory layout and execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the current process. This condition creates a privilege escalation pathway since the code executes within the context of the Foxit Reader application, which typically runs with elevated permissions when processing PDF documents.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution as it provides attackers with complete control over the affected system's resources and potentially enables further exploitation within the network environment. The vulnerability's classification as a remote code execution flaw means that attackers can compromise systems without requiring physical access or local network presence, making it particularly dangerous for enterprise environments where users frequently access web content. The specific nature of the vulnerability within the scroll method suggests that PDF documents containing JavaScript commands that manipulate scrolling behaviors can trigger the type confusion, indicating that the flaw exists in how the application processes user interface interactions within PDF documents.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should implement immediate mitigations including updating to patched versions of Foxit Reader, implementing network-based protections such as web application firewalls, and deploying sandboxing solutions to isolate PDF processing activities. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input validation and type safety in JavaScript engines within PDF readers, as highlighted by CWE-129's emphasis on preventing improper handling of type information. Security teams should also consider implementing user education programs to reduce the risk of successful exploitation through social engineering attacks that deliver malicious PDF content. The ZDI-CAN-6037 reference indicates this vulnerability was recognized and tracked by the Zero Day Initiative, emphasizing its significance in the cybersecurity community and the need for prompt remediation across affected systems.