CVE-2018-19344 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 "Data from Faulting Address may be used as a return value starting at U3DBrowser!PlugInMain+0x0000000000031a75" issue.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/13/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-19344 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 plugins\U3DBrowser.fpi file and manifests through the FoxitReader.exe process when handling U3D (Universal 3D) sample files. The vulnerability stems from improper input validation and memory management within the plugin's processing pipeline, creating a scenario where malformed U3D data can trigger unexpected behavior in the application's memory access patterns. The flaw occurs at the address U3DBrowser!PlugInMain+0x0000000000031a75, indicating a precise location within the plugin's execution flow where the out-of-bounds memory access takes place.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability presents significant security implications as it can be leveraged by remote attackers to either cause a denial of service condition or potentially extract sensitive information from the application's memory space. When a malicious U3D file is processed, the plugin reads data from memory locations that fall outside the intended buffer boundaries, which can result in the application crashing or exposing confidential data that was previously stored in those memory regions. This type of vulnerability falls under the CWE-125 weakness category, which specifically addresses out-of-bounds read conditions that can lead to information disclosure and system instability. The vulnerability's impact is further amplified by its location within a plugin architecture, where the attack surface extends beyond the core application to include third-party components that may not receive the same level of security scrutiny.
The operational impact of CVE-2018-19344 extends beyond simple application instability to potentially compromise the confidentiality and availability of systems running vulnerable versions of Foxit Reader. Organizations that rely on Foxit Reader for document processing and viewing may face disruptions when malicious U3D files are encountered in email attachments, web downloads, or file shares. The vulnerability's remote exploitability means that attackers do not require local access to compromise systems, making it particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where users may encounter untrusted content. From an attack framework perspective, this vulnerability aligns with techniques described in the ATT&CK matrix under the T1203 category for Defense Evasion and T1059 for Command and Scripting Interpreter, as attackers could potentially use the denial of service aspect to disrupt legitimate operations while the information disclosure component could be exploited to gather intelligence about system configurations or user data. The vulnerability demonstrates how plugin-based architectures in document readers can create persistent security risks that may not be immediately apparent during normal application usage.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-19344 should prioritize immediate patching of affected Foxit Reader installations to version 9.3.0.10827 or later, which contains the necessary fixes for the out-of-bounds read condition. System administrators should implement network-level controls to block or scan U3D file types when they are not required for legitimate business operations, particularly in environments where users may encounter untrusted content. The implementation of sandboxing techniques for document processing and the deployment of application whitelisting policies can provide additional defense layers against exploitation attempts. Organizations should also conduct thorough vulnerability assessments to identify any other plugin-based components that may share similar architectural patterns and could potentially be affected by similar flaws. Regular security updates and patch management procedures should be enforced across all systems, with particular attention to third-party plugins and components that extend the functionality of document processing applications, as these often represent overlooked security risks in enterprise environments.