CVE-2018-14307 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 Link objects. 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-6267.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/12/2020
CVE-2018-14307 represents a critical heap-based buffer overflow vulnerability found in Foxit Reader version 9.0.1.5096 that enables remote code execution through maliciously crafted PDF documents. This vulnerability falls under the CWE-416 category of Use After Free conditions, where memory that has been deallocated is accessed again, creating a dangerous scenario for exploitation. The flaw specifically resides in the document processing engine's handling of Link objects within PDF files, making it particularly dangerous as PDF readers are widely used across enterprise and consumer environments. The vulnerability requires user interaction to be exploited, meaning a target must either visit a malicious webpage hosting a compromised PDF or open a malicious file directly, which aligns with the ATT&CK technique T1203 for Exploitation for Client Execution.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability exploits memory management flaws in the PDF parser component of Foxit Reader. When processing certain Link objects within PDF documents, the application fails to properly validate or manage memory pointers, leading to a situation where a pointer is freed from memory but subsequently accessed again. This use-after-free condition creates a predictable memory layout that attackers can manipulate to overwrite critical program structures or inject malicious code. The vulnerability occurs during the parsing phase when the application processes document elements, particularly those related to hyperlinks and navigation objects. The attacker can craft a PDF document that, when processed by the vulnerable reader, triggers the memory corruption, allowing for arbitrary code execution with the privileges of the current user process.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant given the widespread adoption of Foxit Reader across various industries including finance, healthcare, and government sectors. Organizations using this version of the software face potential compromise through drive-by download attacks or targeted phishing campaigns that deliver malicious PDF files. The vulnerability's remote exploitation capability means that attackers can compromise systems without requiring physical access or specialized local privileges. The use-after-free condition allows for sophisticated exploitation techniques including return-oriented programming and stack pivoting, making it particularly dangerous for enterprise environments where the compromised systems may have elevated privileges. Security analysts have noted that this vulnerability can bypass many traditional security controls as it operates within the legitimate application context, making detection more challenging.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-14307 should include immediate patching of Foxit Reader to versions that address the memory management issues in Link object processing. Organizations should implement network-based protections such as web application firewalls and PDF content filtering to block suspicious documents before they reach end users. User education and awareness programs should emphasize the importance of avoiding untrusted PDF files and suspicious web content. System administrators should consider implementing sandboxing mechanisms for PDF processing and monitoring for unusual memory access patterns. The vulnerability's classification as a use-after-free condition makes it particularly susceptible to exploitation techniques that leverage modern exploit frameworks, so organizations should also consider deploying exploit prevention technologies and maintaining updated threat intelligence feeds to identify potential exploitation attempts. Regular security assessments should include verification of PDF reader versions and configuration settings to ensure compliance with security baselines.