CVE-2018-17643 in Foxit
Summary
by MITRE
This vulnerability allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code on vulnerable installations of Foxit Reader 9.2.0.9297. 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 handling of the editValue property of a TimeField. The issue results from the lack of validating the existence of an object prior to performing operations on the object. An attacker can leverage this vulnerability to execute code in the context of the current process. Was ZDI-CAN-6480.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/05/2020
CVE-2018-17643 represents a critical remote code execution vulnerability affecting Foxit Reader version 9.2.0.9297, classified under CWE-476 which denotes a null pointer dereference condition. This vulnerability resides within the TimeField object's editValue property handling mechanism, where the software fails to validate whether an object reference exists before attempting operations on it. The flaw occurs during the processing of malicious PDF files or web pages that contain crafted TimeField elements designed to trigger the vulnerable code path. Attackers can exploit this weakness by constructing specially crafted PDF documents or web content that, when opened or viewed by a victim using the vulnerable Foxit Reader version, will cause the application to attempt operations on a null object reference. This null pointer dereference creates an exploitable condition where arbitrary code can be executed within the context of the Foxit Reader process, potentially allowing attackers to gain full control over the victim's system. The vulnerability requires user interaction to be successfully exploited, meaning victims must either open a malicious file or visit a compromised web page containing the malicious PDF content. This makes it particularly dangerous in phishing campaigns or compromised websites where users might inadvertently trigger the exploit. The attack vector aligns with ATT&CK technique T1203, which involves exploitation of software vulnerabilities through malicious documents or web content. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond simple code execution as it can lead to complete system compromise, data theft, or deployment of additional malware. Organizations using Foxit Reader should immediately update to patched versions or implement network-level controls to block access to known malicious PDF content. The flaw demonstrates a classic buffer overflow pattern where improper input validation leads to memory corruption, making it a prime target for advanced persistent threat actors seeking to establish long-term access to compromised systems. Security researchers have documented similar patterns in other PDF readers where object validation failures lead to privilege escalation and remote code execution scenarios.