CVE-2018-14290 in Foxit
Summary
by MITRE
This vulnerability allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code 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 the length of user-supplied data prior to copying it to a heap-based buffer. An attacker can leverage this vulnerability to execute code under the context of the current process. Was ZDI-CAN-6222.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/11/2020
CVE-2018-14290 represents a critical heap-based buffer overflow vulnerability affecting Foxit Reader version 9.0.1.5096 that enables remote code execution through malicious PDF documents. This vulnerability resides within the PDF parsing engine where insufficient input validation occurs during the processing of user-supplied data, specifically when handling the length of data elements within PDF files. The flaw manifests when the application fails to properly validate the length of user-provided data before copying it into a heap-based buffer, creating a condition where an attacker can overflow the allocated memory space and potentially overwrite adjacent memory locations. This type of vulnerability is classified as CWE-121 heap-based buffer overflow, which directly aligns with the ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter execution through malicious document manipulation.
The exploitation of this vulnerability requires user interaction, meaning that a target must either visit a malicious webpage hosting a crafted PDF file or open a malicious PDF document directly. This interaction requirement places the vulnerability in the category of client-side attacks that rely on social engineering or phishing techniques to deliver the malicious payload. The attack vector specifically targets the PDF rendering functionality of Foxit Reader, where the application's parser processes the malicious data without adequate bounds checking, allowing the attacker to control the execution flow of the application. When the vulnerable code attempts to copy user-supplied data to a heap buffer that is insufficiently sized, the overflow can be manipulated to overwrite critical memory structures including return addresses or function pointers, enabling arbitrary code execution with the privileges of the current user process.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution, as it provides attackers with a complete compromise of the affected system through the Foxit Reader application. Since the vulnerability operates within the context of the current process, successful exploitation can lead to privilege escalation depending on the user's permissions and the system configuration. The heap-based nature of the vulnerability means that memory corruption can be particularly difficult to detect and exploit reliably, as heap management structures are complex and vary between different system configurations. This type of vulnerability is particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where PDF documents are frequently shared and opened by multiple users, creating numerous potential attack vectors for adversaries seeking to establish persistent access to target systems.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including updating to patched versions of Foxit Reader, deploying web application firewalls to filter malicious PDF content, and implementing user education programs to reduce the risk of social engineering attacks. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input validation and bounds checking in document processing applications, as highlighted by industry standards such as the OWASP Top Ten and NIST guidelines for secure coding practices. Network segmentation and application whitelisting can provide additional defense-in-depth measures to limit the potential impact of successful exploitation attempts. Security teams should also monitor for indicators of compromise related to malicious PDF files and implement automated threat hunting procedures to detect potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability underscores the critical need for regular security updates and the implementation of secure coding practices that prevent buffer overflow conditions in document processing software.