CVE-2018-17702 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 richValue property of button 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-7252.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/31/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-17702 represents a critical remote code execution flaw affecting Foxit Reader version 9.2.0.9297 and potentially other versions within the same product line. This security weakness resides in the PDF reader's handling of button objects within PDF documents, specifically when processing the richValue property of these interactive elements. The flaw demonstrates characteristics consistent with a classic null pointer dereference vulnerability, where the application fails to validate object existence before attempting operations on it. Such a condition creates an exploitable path where malicious actors can manipulate PDF documents to trigger unintended code execution within the context of the vulnerable application's process. The vulnerability requires user interaction to be successfully exploited, meaning that targets must either visit a malicious webpage hosting a crafted PDF or open a malicious file directly, making this attack vector particularly insidious in social engineering campaigns. The issue stems from inadequate input validation mechanisms within the PDF parser component, where the application assumes the presence of certain object properties without proper verification. This type of vulnerability commonly falls under the CWE-476 category, which specifically addresses null pointer dereference conditions, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1203 for exploitation of web applications through crafted content. The impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution, as it allows attackers to operate within the security boundaries of the user's session, potentially leading to full system compromise if the application runs with elevated privileges. The richValue property handling represents a particularly dangerous attack surface because it involves complex data structures that can be manipulated to trigger cascading failures within the application's memory management system. This vulnerability exemplifies the inherent risks associated with PDF processing applications, which must parse and interpret potentially malicious content while maintaining strict security boundaries. The exploitation process likely involves crafting a PDF document containing a malformed button object with an invalid richValue property, which when processed by Foxit Reader causes the application to crash or execute unintended code. The vulnerability's classification as a remote code execution issue means that attackers can potentially compromise systems without requiring physical access or local network presence. Organizations running Foxit Reader are particularly at risk as this vulnerability affects a widely deployed PDF reader application used across various industries including finance, healthcare, and government sectors. The ZDI-CAN-7252 identifier indicates that this vulnerability was tracked by the Zero Day Initiative, highlighting its significance in the cybersecurity community and the potential for widespread exploitation. The lack of proper object validation in this context represents a fundamental security flaw that could be leveraged for privilege escalation attacks, especially when the application runs with elevated permissions. The vulnerability's exploitation requires careful crafting of PDF documents to ensure that the malicious payload is delivered through the richValue property of button objects, making it a sophisticated attack vector that demands both technical expertise and precise targeting. This type of vulnerability underscores the importance of regular security updates and the need for organizations to maintain up-to-date security patches for all installed applications. The attack surface for this vulnerability extends beyond individual user systems to include enterprise environments where PDF documents are frequently shared and processed, making it a significant concern for information security teams. The technical implementation of the fix would require implementing proper null checks and validation mechanisms before processing the richValue property, ensuring that all object references are verified before operations are performed. Organizations should prioritize patching this vulnerability immediately, as the combination of remote exploitability and user interaction requirements makes it particularly dangerous in real-world scenarios. The vulnerability's presence in Foxit Reader demonstrates the ongoing challenges in securing complex document processing applications and highlights the need for comprehensive security testing throughout the software development lifecycle. This flaw represents a classic example of how seemingly minor input validation gaps can lead to severe security consequences, emphasizing the importance of defensive programming practices and thorough security assessments. The vulnerability's impact on enterprise security is significant, as it could enable attackers to establish persistent access to organizational networks through compromised user systems, making it a critical priority for security administrators to address through immediate patch deployment and monitoring. The exploitation of this vulnerability aligns with common attack patterns observed in targeted campaigns where attackers leverage PDF-based exploits to deliver malware payloads, making it an important consideration for incident response teams and security operations centers.