CVE-2018-17669 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 name property of a XFA 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-6523.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/05/2020
CVE-2018-17669 represents a critical remote code execution vulnerability affecting Foxit Reader version 9.2.0.9297 that demonstrates a classic improper input validation flaw categorized under CWE-476. This vulnerability exists within the XFA (XML Forms Architecture) object handling mechanism where the application fails to validate whether an object exists before attempting operations on it, creating a dangerous condition that allows attackers to manipulate the application's execution flow. The flaw specifically manifests when processing the name property of XFA objects, where the absence of proper null pointer checks enables attackers to craft malicious PDF documents that trigger arbitrary code execution. This vulnerability operates under the ATT&CK framework category of T1203, leveraging the exploitation of software vulnerabilities to gain unauthorized code execution privileges.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability requires a user to interact with malicious content, typically through visiting a compromised webpage or opening a specially crafted PDF file containing the malicious XFA object structure. When the vulnerable Foxit Reader processes such content, the application attempts to access an object that has not been properly initialized or validated, leading to memory corruption that attackers can leverage to inject and execute arbitrary code within the application's security context. This creates a privilege escalation scenario where the malicious code executes with the same permissions as the legitimate Foxit Reader process, potentially allowing full system compromise. The vulnerability demonstrates characteristics of a use-after-free condition or null pointer dereference, where the application's memory management fails to properly handle object lifecycle management during XFA processing.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability poses significant risk to organizations that rely on Foxit Reader for document processing, as it enables attackers to bypass traditional security controls and gain persistent access to systems through simple user interaction. The remote exploitation capability means that attackers can target users without requiring physical access to the system, making this vulnerability particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where PDF documents are frequently shared and opened. The vulnerability's classification as a remote code execution flaw places it in the highest severity category, as it can lead to complete system compromise, data exfiltration, and lateral movement within network environments. Organizations using Foxit Reader in production environments face potential exposure to advanced persistent threats that could leverage this vulnerability for extended periods without detection.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-17669 should prioritize immediate patching of Foxit Reader installations to the latest version that addresses this specific vulnerability, as provided by the vendor's security advisory. Network administrators should implement PDF file filtering mechanisms to prevent potentially malicious documents from reaching end users, while security teams should monitor for suspicious PDF file access patterns and implement application whitelisting policies to restrict execution of untrusted PDF content. Additionally, user education programs should emphasize the importance of avoiding suspicious PDF files and visiting untrusted websites that could deliver malicious content through this vulnerability. Organizations should also consider implementing sandboxing technologies for PDF processing and regular security assessments to identify and remediate similar vulnerabilities in other document processing applications. The vulnerability highlights the importance of proper input validation and object lifecycle management in preventing remote code execution scenarios, aligning with industry best practices outlined in the OWASP Top Ten and NIST cybersecurity frameworks for application security hardening.