CVE-2018-17658 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 respose property of a host object. 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-6509.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/05/2020
CVE-2018-17658 represents a critical remote code execution vulnerability affecting Foxit Reader version 9.2.0.9297, classified under CWE-476 as Null Pointer Dereference. This vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation within the PDF rendering engine's object handling mechanism, specifically when processing the response property of host objects. The flaw occurs when the application attempts to perform operations on an object without first verifying its existence, creating a dangerous condition where a null pointer dereference can be exploited by remote attackers. The vulnerability requires user interaction to be exploited, meaning an attacker must convince a victim to visit a malicious webpage or open a specially crafted malicious PDF file containing the exploit code. This attack vector aligns with ATT&CK technique T1203 (Exploitation for Client Execution) and T1059 (Command and Scripting Interpreter) as it leverages the PDF reader's scripting capabilities to execute arbitrary commands. The technical impact of this vulnerability is severe as it allows attackers to execute code within the context of the current process, potentially leading to full system compromise. The exploitation process involves crafting a malicious PDF file that triggers the vulnerable code path when the reader processes the document, specifically targeting the improper validation of object existence before operations are performed. This vulnerability demonstrates a fundamental flaw in the application's defensive programming practices and highlights the importance of implementing proper null checks and input validation mechanisms. The issue's classification as a remote code execution vulnerability makes it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited without requiring local access to the target system. Security researchers have identified this weakness as a prime example of how improper object validation in PDF rendering engines can be leveraged for privilege escalation and system compromise. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond simple code execution as it can be used to establish persistent access, steal sensitive data, or deploy additional malware. Organizations using Foxit Reader should immediately implement mitigations including disabling JavaScript execution, updating to patched versions, and implementing network-level restrictions to prevent access to untrusted PDF content. The vulnerability also underscores the broader security implications of complex PDF parsing engines and the necessity for comprehensive input validation and memory safety practices in document processing applications. This flaw represents a classic example of how seemingly minor validation issues can result in catastrophic security consequences, emphasizing the critical importance of defensive programming and thorough security testing in software development lifecycle processes.