CVE-2018-14304 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 Text 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-6220.
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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 arises during the processing of Text annotations within PDF documents. The flaw stems from improper memory management practices where a pointer is dereferenced after being freed, creating a classic use-after-free vulnerability that falls under CWE-416. Attackers can exploit this weakness by crafting malicious PDF files containing specially crafted Text annotation elements that trigger the vulnerable code path when the document is opened or when the annotation is interacted with. The vulnerability requires user interaction to be successful, meaning victims must either visit a malicious webpage hosting the exploit or open a crafted malicious file, making it a client-side attack vector that aligns with ATT&CK technique T1203 for legitimate system exploitation.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the PDF parsing engine's handling of annotation objects where memory allocated for Text annotation elements is prematurely freed while still being referenced elsewhere in the document processing pipeline. When the malicious document is processed, the freed memory pointer becomes available for reuse, and subsequent operations on this memory location can overwrite critical data structures or execute arbitrary code. This particular flaw demonstrates poor memory management practices and inadequate bounds checking during annotation processing, creating a pathway for privilege escalation attacks that can execute code with the same privileges as the Foxit Reader application itself. The vulnerability's exploitation potential is significant as it allows remote code execution without requiring administrative privileges, making it particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where PDF readers are commonly used.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution to encompass potential data breaches and system compromise scenarios. When successfully exploited, attackers can gain full control over the victim's system, potentially leading to persistent backdoor installation, credential theft, or lateral movement within network environments. The vulnerability's remote exploitability means that attackers can deliver malicious payloads through email attachments, web downloads, or compromised websites without requiring physical access to target systems. Organizations using Foxit Reader 9.0.1.5096 are particularly at risk as the application's widespread use across various industries creates numerous potential attack vectors. Security professionals should note that this vulnerability represents a common pattern in PDF reader exploits and aligns with ATT&CK tactics covering privilege escalation and persistence mechanisms.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should include immediate patching of Foxit Reader installations to versions that address the memory management issues in Text annotation processing. Organizations should implement network-based security controls such as web application firewalls and content filtering systems to block access to known malicious PDF files and suspicious web content. Additionally, user education and awareness programs should emphasize the importance of only opening PDF files from trusted sources and avoiding interaction with suspicious web pages. System administrators should consider implementing application whitelisting policies that restrict execution of untrusted PDF readers and monitor for unusual file access patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning to identify similar memory corruption issues in other document processing applications. Organizations should also consider deploying sandboxing solutions for PDF document handling to contain potential exploitation attempts and limit the impact of successful attacks.