CVE-2018-14278 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 getPageNumWords 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-6058.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/11/2020
CVE-2018-14278 represents a critical type confusion vulnerability within Foxit Reader version 9.0.1.1049 that enables remote code execution through carefully crafted JavaScript operations. This vulnerability resides in the getPageNumWords method of the PDF processing engine, where improper type handling allows attackers to manipulate memory operations and execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the running application. The flaw specifically manifests when the application processes malformed PDF documents containing malicious JavaScript code that triggers a type confusion condition during the getPageNumWords method execution. This vulnerability falls under CWE-467, which addresses the use of an incorrect type in a method call, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for JavaScript-based execution. The attack requires user interaction through visiting a malicious webpage or opening a compromised PDF file, making it particularly dangerous in social engineering scenarios. The type confusion occurs when the application fails to properly validate data types during JavaScript execution, allowing attackers to manipulate object references and corrupt memory structures. This vulnerability demonstrates a classic buffer overflow condition where type confusion leads to memory corruption, potentially enabling privilege escalation and full system compromise.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution to encompass complete system compromise when exploited successfully. Attackers leveraging CVE-2018-14278 can execute malicious code within the context of the Foxit Reader process, potentially gaining access to sensitive documents, system information, or network resources depending on the victim's privileges. The vulnerability's exploitation requires a victim to interact with malicious content, making it particularly challenging to defend against in enterprise environments where users may inadvertently access compromised web content or receive malicious email attachments. Security researchers have noted that the vulnerability's exploitation is relatively straightforward once an attacker gains user interaction, as the JavaScript-based attack vector requires minimal setup. This makes the vulnerability particularly dangerous in targeted attacks where attackers can craft convincing phishing campaigns to deliver malicious PDF documents. The attack surface includes web browsers, email clients, and any application that processes PDF files through the Foxit Reader engine, making it a significant concern for organizations using this software.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-14278 should include immediate software updates to Foxit Reader version 9.0.1.1050 or later, which contains the necessary patches to address the type confusion vulnerability. Organizations should implement strict content filtering measures to prevent users from accessing potentially malicious PDF files through web browsers and email systems, particularly focusing on PDF file handling in enterprise environments. Network administrators should deploy web application firewalls and content inspection tools that can detect and block suspicious JavaScript operations within PDF documents. Security teams should conduct regular vulnerability assessments to identify systems running vulnerable versions of Foxit Reader and ensure timely patch deployment. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of user education regarding phishing attacks and the dangers of opening unexpected PDF files from untrusted sources. Additionally, implementing sandboxing techniques for PDF processing and limiting the privileges of PDF reader applications can significantly reduce the potential impact of successful exploitation attempts. Organizations should also consider implementing endpoint detection and response solutions that can identify anomalous JavaScript behavior and memory corruption patterns associated with this vulnerability type. The ATT&CK framework suggests monitoring for suspicious process creation and memory manipulation activities that may indicate exploitation attempts, particularly focusing on JavaScript engine interactions and type confusion patterns.