CVE-2018-19342 in Foxit
Summary
by MITRE
The u3d plugin 9.3.0.10809 (aka plugins\U3DBrowser.fpi) in FoxitReader.exe in Foxit Reader 9.3.0.10826 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (out-of-bounds read) or obtain sensitive information via a U3D sample because of a "Read Access Violation starting at U3DBrowser+0x000000000000347a" issue.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/13/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-19342 represents a critical out-of-bounds read flaw within the u3d plugin component of Foxit Reader version 9.3.0.10826. This issue specifically affects the U3DBrowser.fpi plugin which is responsible for handling Universal 3D file format content within the Foxit Reader application. The vulnerability manifests when the application processes maliciously crafted U3D sample files, creating a scenario where remote attackers can exploit the flaw to either cause a denial of service condition or potentially extract sensitive information from the application's memory space. The technical manifestation occurs at the memory address U3DBrowser+0x000000000000347a, where a read access violation takes place, indicating that the application attempts to access memory locations outside the bounds of allocated memory regions.
This vulnerability falls under the category of memory safety issues and can be classified as a CWE-125: Out-of-bounds Read, which is a common weakness pattern in software development where applications access memory beyond the boundaries of valid allocated buffers. The flaw represents a classic example of how 3D graphics processing plugins can introduce security risks when they fail to properly validate input data before processing. The issue demonstrates poor input validation and memory management practices within the U3DBrowser plugin, where the application does not adequately check the size or structure of incoming U3D data before attempting to parse it. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it allows for remote exploitation, meaning attackers do not need physical access to the target system to exploit this weakness, making it a significant threat in networked environments.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple denial of service conditions to potentially enable information disclosure attacks that could compromise the confidentiality of sensitive data. When an attacker successfully triggers the out-of-bounds read, the application may inadvertently expose memory contents that contain sensitive information such as encryption keys, user credentials, or other confidential data stored in memory. The nature of the vulnerability suggests that attackers could craft malicious U3D files that, when opened by an unpatched Foxit Reader, would cause the application to read memory locations that contain potentially sensitive information, creating a data leakage scenario. Additionally, the denial of service aspect means that legitimate users could be prevented from accessing valid U3D content, effectively disrupting normal business operations and potentially causing productivity losses.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should include immediate application of the vendor-provided security patch that addresses the memory access violation in the u3d plugin component. Organizations should also implement defensive measures such as disabling U3D plugin functionality within Foxit Reader until proper patches are applied, utilizing sandboxing techniques to isolate document processing, and implementing network-based intrusion detection systems to monitor for exploitation attempts. From a security architecture perspective, this vulnerability underscores the importance of applying the principle of least privilege to plugin components and implementing robust input validation mechanisms. The ATT&CK framework would categorize this vulnerability under T1203: Exploitation for Client Execution and T1068: Exploitation for Privilege Escalation, as the vulnerability could potentially be leveraged to execute arbitrary code or escalate privileges within the application context. Security teams should also consider implementing file type restrictions and content filtering mechanisms to prevent the automatic processing of U3D files, particularly in high-security environments where the risk of exploitation is deemed unacceptable.