CVE-2018-17682 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 delay property of Annotation objects. 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-7157.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/31/2024
CVE-2018-17682 represents a critical remote code execution vulnerability affecting Foxit Reader version 9.2.0.9297, demonstrating a classic null pointer dereference flaw that aligns with CWE-476. This vulnerability operates through the improper handling of Annotation objects within the PDF rendering engine, specifically when processing the delay property of these objects. The flaw occurs when the application attempts to access an object without first verifying its existence, creating a condition where arbitrary code execution becomes possible. The vulnerability requires user interaction to be exploited, typically through visiting a malicious webpage or opening a specially crafted malicious PDF file, making it particularly dangerous in targeted attack scenarios where social engineering can be employed to deliver the payload. The technical implementation involves the PDF parser's failure to validate object references before performing operations, which allows attackers to craft malicious PDF documents that trigger the vulnerability during normal document rendering processes. This type of vulnerability falls under the ATT&CK technique T1203 - Exploitation for Client Execution, where attackers leverage application vulnerabilities to execute code on targeted systems. The impact extends beyond simple code execution as it allows attackers to operate within the context of the current process, potentially escalating privileges or accessing sensitive data. The vulnerability's exploitation pathway demonstrates a common pattern in PDF reader security flaws where improper input validation leads to memory corruption issues. The delay property in Annotation objects serves as the attack vector because it represents a timing mechanism that when improperly handled can be manipulated to cause the application to access freed or uninitialized memory locations. This vulnerability underscores the importance of proper object validation and memory management practices in security-critical applications, particularly those handling untrusted input such as PDF documents. The issue's classification as a remote code execution vulnerability means that attackers can compromise systems without requiring local access, making it a significant concern for enterprise environments where PDF documents are frequently shared and opened. Security researchers have identified this flaw as part of a broader category of vulnerabilities affecting document processing applications, where the complexity of PDF parsing creates numerous potential attack surfaces. The vulnerability's exploitation requires careful crafting of PDF files to manipulate the Annotation processing flow, making it a sophisticated attack vector that demonstrates advanced knowledge of the application's internal workings. Organizations using Foxit Reader should prioritize immediate patching and consider implementing additional security controls such as PDF sandboxing and content filtering to mitigate the risk of exploitation. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of regular security assessments and vulnerability management programs to identify and remediate similar issues before they can be exploited by malicious actors.