CVE-2018-17705 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 display property of CheckBox 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-7255.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/31/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-17705 represents a critical remote code execution flaw in Foxit Reader version 9.2.0.9297 that demonstrates a classic object-oriented programming error in the software's PDF processing engine. This vulnerability operates under the Common Weakness Enumeration framework as CWE-476, specifically addressing NULL pointer dereference conditions where the application fails to validate object existence before attempting operations on them. The flaw manifests within the CheckBox object's display property handling, where the PDF renderer does not properly verify whether the target object reference exists before executing operations on it, creating a predictable execution path for malicious code injection.
The exploitation mechanism requires user interaction through either visiting a malicious web page that loads a crafted PDF or opening a specially crafted malicious file, making this vulnerability particularly dangerous in phishing campaigns and targeted attacks. This requirement for user interaction aligns with the ATT&CK framework's technique T1203, where adversaries leverage social engineering to deliver malicious payloads that exploit application vulnerabilities. The vulnerability exists in the PDF processing layer of Foxit Reader, where the application's handling of CheckBox objects fails to perform proper null checks before accessing object properties, allowing attackers to manipulate the execution flow through carefully constructed PDF documents.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution to encompass full system compromise, as the malicious code executes within the context of the current process, inheriting the privileges and permissions of the Foxit Reader application. This privilege escalation capability means that attackers can potentially access sensitive documents, extract data, or establish persistent access to the compromised system. The vulnerability's exploitation is particularly concerning because PDF readers are commonly used applications that users trust, making social engineering attacks more likely to succeed. Security researchers have noted that this flaw demonstrates poor input validation practices that are often exploited in similar document-based attacks, with the vulnerability being classified under the broader category of buffer overflows and memory corruption issues.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-17705 should prioritize immediate software updates from Foxit Corporation, as the vendor has released patches addressing the NULL pointer dereference condition in their PDF processing engine. Organizations should implement network-based security controls such as web application firewalls and content filtering systems to block malicious PDF content from entering their networks. Additionally, user education programs should emphasize the dangers of opening unexpected PDF files or visiting untrusted websites that might host malicious content. Security teams should also consider implementing sandboxing mechanisms for PDF processing and monitoring for unusual process behavior that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability underscores the importance of robust input validation and proper object lifecycle management in document processing applications, as highlighted by the CWE-476 classification that specifically addresses the dangers of dereferencing NULL pointers in software applications.