CVE-2018-14298 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 Ink 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-6214.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/12/2020
This vulnerability in Foxit Reader 9.0.1.5096 represents a critical heap-based buffer overflow condition that enables remote code execution through improper memory management during Ink annotation processing. The flaw stems from inadequate pointer validation within the document parsing mechanism, specifically when handling maliciously crafted Ink annotations that trigger use-after-free conditions. Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by crafting malicious PDF documents containing specially formatted Ink annotations that manipulate memory pointers in ways that violate standard memory safety protocols. The vulnerability requires user interaction to be exploited, meaning victims must either visit a malicious web page hosting the compromised document or open the malicious file directly, making it particularly dangerous in targeted phishing campaigns or social engineering attacks. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-416, which specifically addresses use-after-free conditions in software applications where memory is accessed after it has been freed, creating opportunities for arbitrary code execution.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability demonstrates a classic memory corruption flaw that operates at the intersection of document parsing and memory management. When Foxit Reader processes Ink annotations, it fails to properly validate the lifecycle of memory pointers associated with these elements, allowing an attacker to manipulate the document structure to cause a pointer to be dereferenced after it has been freed from memory. This creates a situation where the attacker can control what data is loaded into the freed memory location and subsequently execute malicious code within the context of the Foxit Reader process. The attack vector leverages the browser-based document rendering capabilities of Foxit Reader, making it particularly effective when combined with web-based delivery mechanisms. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond simple code execution to potentially allow full system compromise, as the attacker can leverage the elevated privileges of the running application to perform actions such as file system access, network communication, and process manipulation. This aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter and T1068 for exploit for privilege escalation.
The operational impact of this vulnerability presents significant risk to organizations relying on Foxit Reader for document processing, particularly in environments where users may encounter untrusted PDF content from external sources. The use-after-free condition creates a persistent threat vector that can be exploited through various delivery methods including email attachments, web downloads, and malicious websites. Organizations with limited security awareness training are particularly vulnerable, as the requirement for user interaction means that successful exploitation often relies on social engineering tactics to convince users to open malicious documents. The vulnerability's presence in a widely used PDF reader application increases its potential attack surface significantly, as it affects not only individual users but also enterprise environments where document sharing and collaboration are common practices. Security professionals should note that this vulnerability represents a common class of flaws in document processing software that affects similar applications across different vendors, highlighting the importance of regular security updates and vulnerability management processes. The ZDI-CAN-6214 reference indicates this vulnerability was tracked by the Zero Day Initiative, emphasizing its significance in the cybersecurity community and the need for immediate remediation actions.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on immediate patch deployment from Foxit Corporation, as well as network-based controls to prevent access to known malicious PDF content. Organizations should implement strict document validation policies and consider sandboxing PDF rendering environments to limit the potential impact of successful exploitation attempts. Security teams should monitor for indicators of compromise related to this vulnerability through network traffic analysis and endpoint detection systems that can identify attempts to access malicious PDF content. Regular security assessments of document processing applications should be conducted to identify similar memory corruption vulnerabilities that may exist in other software components. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date software versions and implementing defense-in-depth strategies that include multiple layers of security controls to protect against document-based attacks. Additionally, user education programs should emphasize the dangers of opening unexpected PDF files and encourage reporting suspicious content to security teams.