CVE-2018-14292 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. By manipulating a document's elements, an attacker can cause a pointer to be reused after it has been freed. An attacker can leverage this vulnerability to execute code under the context of the current process. Was ZDI-CAN-6232.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/11/2020
This vulnerability in Foxit Reader 9.0.1.5096 represents a critical heap-based buffer overflow condition that arises during PDF document parsing operations. The flaw manifests when the application processes malformed PDF elements that trigger improper memory management practices, specifically involving use-after-free conditions where a pointer is accessed after its associated memory has been released. This memory corruption vulnerability falls under the CWE-416 category for use-after-free errors, which is a well-documented class of vulnerabilities that frequently leads to arbitrary code execution. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it requires only user interaction through visiting a malicious webpage or opening a crafted PDF file, making it highly exploitable in phishing campaigns and drive-by download attacks. The attack vector leverages the PDF parsing engine's failure to properly validate and sanitize document elements before processing them, creating a pathway for attackers to inject malicious code that executes with the privileges of the Foxit Reader process.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the manipulation of PDF document structures to trigger specific memory management errors within the application's parsing logic. When Foxit Reader encounters a specially crafted PDF with manipulated elements, the parser fails to properly handle memory deallocation and subsequent reuse of pointers, leading to a situation where attacker-controlled data can overwrite critical memory locations. This particular flaw demonstrates how improper memory management in document processing applications creates opportunities for privilege escalation and arbitrary code execution. The vulnerability's exploitation requires a sophisticated understanding of both the PDF specification and the specific memory layout of the Foxit Reader application, making it particularly challenging to detect through standard security scanning tools. The use-after-free condition allows attackers to potentially overwrite function pointers, return addresses, or other critical program structures, enabling them to redirect execution flow and inject malicious code.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution, as it provides attackers with persistent access to systems where Foxit Reader is installed. Since Foxit Reader is commonly used for viewing PDF documents across various operating systems including windows and macos, the attack surface is extensive and includes corporate networks, educational institutions, and individual users. The vulnerability can be leveraged to establish persistent backdoors, escalate privileges, or exfiltrate sensitive data from compromised systems. The fact that exploitation requires user interaction makes this vulnerability particularly insidious in social engineering campaigns, where attackers can craft convincing phishing emails or malicious websites that appear legitimate to unsuspecting users. Organizations that rely heavily on PDF document processing are especially vulnerable, as the attack can occur without requiring network-level access or sophisticated infrastructure. This vulnerability also highlights the importance of keeping document processing applications updated, as the use-after-free condition represents a fundamental flaw in memory management that can be exploited across multiple platforms and environments.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on immediate patching of affected Foxit Reader installations, as well as implementing defensive measures such as sandboxing and application whitelisting. Organizations should consider disabling PDF processing in web browsers and email clients where possible, and implementing strict content filtering to prevent access to potentially malicious PDF files. Network-based intrusion detection systems should be configured to monitor for patterns associated with PDF-based attacks, while endpoint protection solutions should be updated to detect and block exploitation attempts. The vulnerability also underscores the importance of following secure coding practices such as implementing proper memory management techniques, using modern programming languages with built-in memory safety features, and conducting thorough security testing of document processing components. Security teams should also consider implementing user education programs to raise awareness about the risks of opening unknown PDF files and visiting untrusted websites, as the user interaction requirement makes social engineering attacks particularly effective against this vulnerability. Compliance with industry standards such as those outlined in the OWASP Top Ten and NIST cybersecurity guidelines should be maintained to ensure comprehensive protection against similar memory corruption vulnerabilities.