CVE-2018-14285 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 handling of the oneOfChild attribute. The issue results from the lack of proper validation of user-supplied data, which can result in a type confusion condition. An attacker can leverage this vulnerability to execute code under the context of the current process. Was ZDI-CAN-5774.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/11/2020
CVE-2018-14285 represents a critical remote code execution vulnerability affecting Foxit Reader version 9.0.1.1049 that demonstrates a classic type confusion flaw in the PDF processing engine. This vulnerability operates under the Common Weakness Enumeration framework as CWE-467 and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter. The flaw specifically manifests within the handling of the oneOfChild attribute, where the application fails to properly validate user-supplied data during PDF parsing operations. When a malicious PDF file is processed, the improper validation allows an attacker to manipulate the data type of a variable, creating a condition where the application treats memory as if it contains different data types than what it actually contains.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability requires user interaction through either visiting a malicious webpage that hosts a crafted PDF or opening a specially crafted PDF file directly. This interaction model places the vulnerability in the category of client-side attacks that rely on social engineering or drive-by download techniques. The type confusion condition occurs during the parsing phase when the application attempts to process the oneOfChild attribute without adequate bounds checking or type validation. This allows an attacker to overwrite critical memory locations or manipulate object pointers, ultimately leading to arbitrary code execution within the context of the Foxit Reader process. The vulnerability essentially breaks the application's memory safety model, enabling attackers to escalate privileges and execute malicious payloads with the same permissions as the vulnerable application.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution, as it provides attackers with a persistent foothold within target environments. Since Foxit Reader is commonly used for document processing across various industries including finance, healthcare, and government sectors, the potential for widespread exploitation exists. The vulnerability's remote nature means that attackers can deploy malicious payloads without requiring physical access to target systems, making it particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where document sharing is common. The fact that exploitation requires only user interaction through document opening or web browsing makes this vulnerability particularly effective for phishing campaigns and targeted attacks. Organizations that rely heavily on PDF document processing are at significant risk, as the attack surface expands to include any system that processes PDF files through Foxit Reader.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-14285 should include immediate patching of Foxit Reader installations to the latest versions that contain the necessary security fixes. Organizations should implement network-level controls such as web application firewalls and PDF content filtering to prevent malicious PDF files from reaching end users. User education and awareness programs should emphasize the dangers of opening unexpected PDF files from untrusted sources. Additionally, implementing application whitelisting policies that restrict execution of unauthorized PDF readers can significantly reduce the attack surface. System administrators should monitor for suspicious PDF file downloads and implement sandboxing techniques for PDF processing to contain potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability's classification as a type confusion issue also highlights the importance of input validation and memory safety practices in software development, particularly for applications that process untrusted data formats like PDF documents. Organizations should also consider implementing email filtering solutions that can detect and block malicious PDF attachments before they reach end users.