CVE-2018-14289 in Foxit
Summary
by MITRE
This vulnerability allows remote attackers to disclose sensitive information on vulnerable installations of Foxit Reader 9.0.1.5096. 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 parsing of PDF documents. The issue results from the lack of proper validation of user-supplied data, which can result in a read past the end of an allocated object. An attacker can leverage this in conjunction with other vulnerabilities to execute arbitrary code in the context of the current process. Was ZDI-CAN-6221.
If you want to get the best quality for vulnerability data then you always have to consider VulDB.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/11/2020
CVE-2018-14289 represents a critical information disclosure vulnerability affecting Foxit Reader version 9.0.1.5096 that operates under the CWE-125 weakness category, which describes out-of-bounds read conditions where an application attempts to read memory beyond the boundaries of a allocated buffer. This vulnerability resides within the PDF document parsing functionality of the software, specifically manifesting when the application processes malformed or maliciously constructed PDF files. The flaw stems from inadequate input validation mechanisms that fail to properly sanitize user-supplied data during the parsing process, creating a scenario where memory access occurs beyond the intended buffer boundaries. The vulnerability requires user interaction to be exploited, typically through visiting a malicious webpage or opening a crafted PDF file that contains specially designed payload structures. From an operational perspective, this vulnerability exposes the system to potential exploitation pathways that align with the ATT&CK framework's technique T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter, as successful exploitation could enable attackers to execute arbitrary code within the context of the current process. The out-of-bounds read condition creates memory corruption that can be leveraged by attackers to gain unauthorized access to sensitive information or potentially achieve remote code execution. This vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper input validation and bounds checking in document processing applications, as PDF readers must handle potentially malicious content from untrusted sources. The issue specifically affects the memory management routines within Foxit Reader's PDF parser, where insufficient boundary checks allow attackers to traverse memory regions beyond the intended data structures, potentially exposing sensitive data or creating opportunities for further exploitation. Security researchers identified this weakness as part of the broader category of memory safety issues that plague many document processing applications, making it particularly dangerous given the widespread use of PDF readers in enterprise and consumer environments. The vulnerability's classification under ZDI-CAN-6221 indicates its recognition by the Zero Day Initiative and subsequent tracking within the cybersecurity community's vulnerability management systems. Organizations utilizing Foxit Reader should prioritize patching this vulnerability as it represents a significant risk to system security, particularly in environments where users may encounter untrusted PDF content. The remediation approach requires updating to a patched version of Foxit Reader that implements proper bounds checking and input validation mechanisms to prevent memory access violations during PDF document processing. Additionally, implementing network-level controls such as web application firewalls and content filtering systems can provide additional defense-in-depth measures against exploitation attempts targeting this vulnerability. The vulnerability underscores the importance of secure coding practices and proper memory management in applications that process untrusted data formats, particularly in the context of document readers and office productivity software that are frequently targeted by cyber adversaries.