CVE-2018-14299 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 Line 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-6215.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/12/2020
CVE-2018-14299 represents a critical heap-based buffer overflow vulnerability affecting Foxit Reader version 9.0.1.5096 that enables remote code execution through maliciously crafted PDF documents. This vulnerability resides within the Line annotation processing functionality of the PDF reader, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited through web browsing or file opening activities. The flaw manifests when the application processes Line annotations in PDF documents, where an attacker can manipulate document elements to trigger a use-after-free condition. This specific memory corruption vulnerability occurs when a pointer is freed from memory but subsequently accessed again, creating a scenario where an attacker can control the execution flow of the application. The vulnerability operates at the application layer and requires user interaction to be exploited, meaning a victim must either visit a malicious webpage hosting a compromised PDF or open a malicious file directly. This attack vector aligns with the ATT&CK technique T1203 - Exploitation for Client Execution, where adversaries leverage application vulnerabilities to execute code on target systems. The underlying technical flaw maps to CWE-416, Use After Free, which is classified as a memory safety error that can lead to arbitrary code execution. When exploited successfully, the vulnerability allows an attacker to execute code within the security context of the currently running Foxit Reader process, potentially enabling full system compromise. The exploitation process involves crafting a malicious PDF document that, when processed by the vulnerable reader, causes the application to reuse a freed memory pointer, leading to memory corruption and potential code execution. This vulnerability impacts organizations that rely on Foxit Reader for document viewing, particularly those with less security awareness among end users who may inadvertently visit malicious websites or open suspicious attachments. The ZDI-CAN-6215 reference indicates this vulnerability was identified by the Zero Day Initiative, highlighting its significance in the cybersecurity community. Organizations using affected versions of Foxit Reader should immediately implement mitigations including updating to patched versions, implementing web filtering controls, and educating users about the risks of opening untrusted PDF files. Network-based protections such as intrusion prevention systems can also help detect and block exploitation attempts targeting this specific vulnerability. The memory corruption aspect of this vulnerability makes it particularly challenging to defend against, as traditional antivirus solutions may not detect the exploitation attempts, requiring more sophisticated endpoint protection measures and regular patch management procedures to ensure complete remediation of the security gap.