CVE-2018-17678 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 gotoNamedDest method of a app 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-6851.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/05/2020
CVE-2018-17678 represents a critical remote code execution vulnerability affecting Foxit Reader version 9.2.0.9297, classified under CWE-476 as a NULL Pointer Dereference. This vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation within the gotoNamedDest method of the app object, creating a dangerous condition where the application attempts to operate on an object that may not exist. The flaw occurs during the processing of PDF documents, specifically when handling named destination references that could be manipulated by an attacker. The vulnerability requires user interaction to exploit, meaning a target must either visit a malicious webpage or open a specially crafted PDF file containing the malicious payload. This attack vector aligns with ATT&CK technique T1203, where adversaries use malicious documents to deliver payloads that exploit application vulnerabilities. The lack of proper object validation allows attackers to manipulate the application's memory operations, potentially leading to arbitrary code execution with the privileges of the current process. This represents a significant security risk as PDF readers are frequently used and often run with elevated privileges. The vulnerability's exploitation mechanism demonstrates a classic buffer overflow pattern where improper memory management leads to executable code injection. Organizations using Foxit Reader should immediately implement patch management procedures to address this vulnerability, as it provides attackers with a direct path to compromise systems through social engineering campaigns targeting PDF document delivery. The issue highlights the importance of input sanitization and proper error handling in document processing applications, particularly those handling untrusted content from external sources.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability demonstrates how a seemingly minor oversight in object validation can lead to catastrophic security implications. When Foxit Reader processes a PDF containing a malicious gotoNamedDest call, the application fails to verify whether the referenced object exists before attempting to access it. This validation gap creates a race condition where the application's memory management routines encounter a null pointer, leading to unpredictable behavior that attackers can manipulate. The vulnerability operates within the context of the application's JavaScript engine, where PDF-based scripting can trigger native code execution paths. This type of vulnerability falls under the broader category of heap-based buffer overflows, which are particularly dangerous because they can be exploited to overwrite critical memory segments including return addresses and function pointers. The exploitation process typically involves crafting a PDF document with carefully constructed object references that, when processed by the vulnerable reader, cause the application to jump to attacker-controlled code. This vulnerability underscores the critical need for robust defensive programming practices and the implementation of modern security controls such as address space layout randomization and data execution prevention. The fact that this vulnerability was tracked as ZDI-CAN-6851 indicates it was recognized by the Zero Day Initiative as a significant threat requiring immediate attention from software vendors and security researchers.
Organizational impact of CVE-2018-17678 extends beyond simple code execution, as it represents a potential gateway for more sophisticated attacks within enterprise environments. The vulnerability's requirement for user interaction makes it particularly dangerous in targeted attack scenarios where social engineering plays a crucial role in initial compromise. Security teams must consider this vulnerability as part of broader threat modeling exercises, particularly when evaluating the risk of document-based attacks in corporate networks. The exploitation of this vulnerability could lead to full system compromise, especially when combined with other attack vectors or when users have administrative privileges. Network security controls should include deep packet inspection capabilities to identify potentially malicious PDF content, while endpoint protection solutions must be configured to monitor for suspicious application behavior patterns. The vulnerability's presence in Foxit Reader, a widely deployed PDF viewer, means that organizations may have numerous vulnerable endpoints across their infrastructure without realizing it. Incident response procedures should include specific checks for this vulnerability, as it may be leveraged as part of advanced persistent threat campaigns. The remediation process requires coordinated patch deployment across all affected systems, with particular attention to ensuring that updates are properly tested before widespread rollout. Organizations should also implement user education programs to reduce the likelihood of successful exploitation through social engineering attacks that rely on users opening malicious documents. This vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date software and the need for comprehensive security assessments of all applications that handle untrusted content. The attack surface presented by PDF readers makes them prime targets for adversaries seeking to establish persistent access within networks, making prompt remediation essential for maintaining overall security posture.