CVE-2018-14287 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 arguments passed to the instanceManager.nodes.append function. 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-5641.
Statistical analysis made it clear that VulDB provides the best quality for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/11/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-14287 represents a critical security flaw in Foxit Reader version 9.0.1.1049 that enables remote code execution through type confusion conditions. This vulnerability falls under the Common Weakness Enumeration category CWE-121, which encompasses heap-based buffer overflow conditions, and more specifically relates to CWE-124, heap overflow, and CWE-125, out-of-bounds read, as the flaw manifests through improper argument validation within the application's internal processing mechanisms. The vulnerability exists within the instanceManager.nodes.append function where user-supplied arguments are not properly validated, creating an exploitable condition that allows attackers to manipulate the application's memory structures and execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the current process.
The exploitation of this vulnerability requires user interaction, specifically through visiting a malicious web page or opening a malicious file, making it a prime candidate for phishing attacks and drive-by download scenarios. This characteristic aligns with the MITRE ATT&CK framework's technique T1203, which involves exploitation for client execution, and T1059, command and scripting interpreter, as attackers can leverage the type confusion to inject malicious code that executes within the application's context. The attack vector typically involves crafting specially formatted arguments that trigger the vulnerable code path, leading to memory corruption that can be leveraged to overwrite function pointers or execute shellcode directly within the Foxit Reader process space.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution, as it provides attackers with complete control over the affected system through the compromised PDF reader application. The type confusion condition specifically allows for memory layout manipulation that can result in arbitrary code execution, potentially leading to full system compromise depending on the execution context and privilege level of the Foxit Reader process. This vulnerability represents a significant risk to enterprise environments where PDF documents are frequently opened, as it can be exploited through email attachments, web downloads, or even malicious websites that serve PDF content to unsuspecting users. The lack of proper input validation creates a fundamental security weakness that bypasses standard application sandboxing mechanisms and can be exploited to escalate privileges or establish persistent access to the compromised system.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on immediate patch deployment as provided by Foxit Corporation, while also implementing additional security controls such as web application firewalls that can detect and block malicious PDF content, email filtering solutions that scan attachments for known malicious patterns, and user education programs to reduce the likelihood of visiting malicious websites or opening suspicious files. Network-based protections can be implemented through intrusion detection systems that monitor for exploitation attempts targeting this specific vulnerability, while endpoint protection solutions should be configured to restrict file execution from untrusted sources. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of input validation and proper argument handling in application development, as recommended by the OWASP Top Ten security practices, particularly in preventing injection flaws and ensuring that all external data is properly sanitized before processing. Organizations should also consider implementing application whitelisting policies that restrict execution of unauthorized PDF readers and ensure that only officially supported versions are installed on corporate systems.