CVE-2018-17699 in Foxit
Summary
by MITRE
This vulnerability allows remote attackers to disclose sensitive information 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 processing of PDF files. The issue results from the lack of proper validation of user-supplied data, which can result in a read past the end of an allocated buffer. An attacker can leverage this in conjunction with other vulnerabilities to execute code in the context of the current process. Was ZDI-CAN-7073.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/31/2024
CVE-2018-17699 represents a critical buffer overread vulnerability affecting Foxit Reader version 9.2.0.9297 that demonstrates a fundamental flaw in memory management during PDF file processing. This vulnerability resides within the PDF parsing engine where insufficient input validation allows maliciously crafted PDF content to trigger a read past the end of an allocated buffer, potentially exposing sensitive memory contents to attackers. The issue manifests specifically during the handling of user-supplied data within PDF documents, creating a pathway for information disclosure that aligns with CWE-125, which describes out-of-bounds read vulnerabilities. The vulnerability requires user interaction to exploit, meaning targets must either visit a malicious webpage hosting compromised PDF content or open a specially crafted malicious file, making it particularly dangerous in phishing campaigns and targeted attacks. The operational impact extends beyond simple information disclosure as this vulnerability can serve as a stepping stone for more sophisticated attacks, potentially enabling attackers to gain insights into memory layout and system state that could be leveraged to execute arbitrary code. The read past the end of buffer condition creates opportunities for attackers to extract sensitive data from adjacent memory locations, including potential credentials, session tokens, or other confidential information that may be stored in nearby memory segments. This vulnerability particularly aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for script-based attacks and T1068 for local privilege escalation, as it can provide the initial foothold for more complex exploitation chains. The security implications are exacerbated by the fact that PDF readers like Foxit Reader operate with high privileges and have extensive access to system resources, making successful exploitation particularly damaging. The vulnerability's classification as a buffer overread underscores the importance of proper bounds checking and memory management practices, which are fundamental requirements in secure coding standards. Organizations utilizing Foxit Reader should prioritize immediate patching and deployment of updates, while security teams should implement monitoring for suspicious PDF file handling activities and consider network-based intrusion detection systems to identify potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability highlights the ongoing challenges in PDF processing security, where the complexity of the format and the need for extensive feature support create numerous potential attack vectors that require continuous vigilance and security updates.