CVE-2018-14297 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 processing of FreeText annotations. 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-6213.
If you want to get the best quality for vulnerability data then you always have to consider VulDB.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/12/2020
This vulnerability represents a critical heap-based buffer overflow in Foxit Reader version 9.0.1.5096 that enables remote code execution through crafted FreeText annotations. The flaw stems from improper memory management during document processing, specifically when handling FreeText annotation elements within PDF documents. The vulnerability is classified as a use-after-free condition where a pointer is accessed after being deallocated, creating an exploitable memory corruption scenario that can be leveraged by remote attackers to gain arbitrary code execution. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-416 which describes the use of freed memory condition, a common class of memory safety issues that can lead to privilege escalation and system compromise.
The exploitation requires user interaction through either visiting a malicious webpage hosting a crafted PDF document or opening a malicious file directly, making this a typical attack vector for social engineering campaigns. The vulnerability occurs during the processing of FreeText annotations which are interactive text elements that can be added to PDF documents for notes or comments. When Foxit Reader encounters a malformed FreeText annotation, the memory management routines fail to properly handle the pointer lifecycle, leading to a situation where freed memory can be reallocated and subsequently accessed by an attacker. This creates a predictable memory corruption pattern that can be exploited to overwrite critical memory structures or execute malicious code within the context of the Foxit Reader process.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution as it provides attackers with a complete compromise of the affected system. Since the exploitation occurs within the context of the current process, attackers can potentially access all data processed by Foxit Reader, including sensitive documents, credentials, or system information. The vulnerability affects all Windows versions of Foxit Reader 9.0.1.5096 and represents a significant risk for enterprise environments where PDF processing is common. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to T1059 (Command and Scripting Interpreter) and T1068 (Exploitation for Privilege Escalation) techniques, as attackers can leverage the code execution to perform further malicious activities. Organizations using Foxit Reader in their document workflows face potential data breaches, system compromise, and lateral movement opportunities through this vulnerability.
Mitigation strategies should focus on immediate patching of the affected Foxit Reader version, as the vendor has released updates addressing this specific memory corruption issue. Network-based defenses such as web application firewalls and PDF content inspection systems can help detect and block malicious documents before they reach end users. Additionally, implementing user education programs about avoiding suspicious PDF files and website visits can reduce successful exploitation attempts. Security teams should monitor for indicators of compromise related to this vulnerability and consider implementing application whitelisting policies that restrict execution of untrusted PDF processing software. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper memory management in document processing applications and highlights the need for regular security updates to address heap corruption vulnerabilities that can lead to complete system compromise.