CVE-2018-19390 in Foxit
Summary
by MITRE
FoxitReader.exe in Foxit Reader 9.3.0.10826 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (Break instruction exception and application crash) via TIFF data because of a ConvertToPDF_x86!ConnectedPDF::ConnectedPDFSDK::FCP_SendEmailNotification issue.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/11/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-19390 affects Foxit Reader version 9.3.0.10826 and represents a critical denial of service flaw that can be exploited remotely through maliciously crafted TIFF image data. This vulnerability specifically manifests within the FoxitReader.exe executable and stems from a flaw in the ConvertToPDF_x86!ConnectedPDF::ConnectedPDFSDK::FCP_SendEmailNotification component. The issue arises when the application processes TIFF formatted files that contain specially constructed data, leading to a break instruction exception that ultimately causes the application to crash completely. This type of vulnerability falls under the category of improper input validation and memory corruption issues, with direct implications for application stability and availability.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when a remote attacker crafts a TIFF file containing malformed data that triggers the flawed conversion process within the ConnectedPDF SDK. When the Foxit Reader application attempts to process this malicious TIFF file, particularly during the email notification sending process, the application encounters an unexpected break instruction that halts execution and results in an application crash. This behavior represents a classic stack-based buffer overflow scenario or more specifically a control flow hijacking vulnerability, where the normal execution path is disrupted by unexpected program interruption. The vulnerability demonstrates a lack of proper input sanitization and error handling within the PDF conversion pipeline, particularly in the email notification functionality.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability presents significant risks to organizations that rely on Foxit Reader for document processing and viewing. The remote exploitation capability means that attackers can potentially compromise the availability of the application without requiring local access or user interaction beyond viewing the malicious document. This makes it particularly dangerous in environments where users may encounter untrusted PDF files through email attachments, web downloads, or shared network resources. The denial of service impact can disrupt business operations, particularly in scenarios where document processing is critical to workflow automation or where users depend on the application for daily operations. The vulnerability also represents a potential vector for more sophisticated attacks if attackers can leverage the crash to execute arbitrary code or escalate privileges, though the current description indicates a straightforward denial of service condition.
Organizations should immediately implement mitigations including patching to the latest version of Foxit Reader where this vulnerability has been addressed, network segmentation to limit access to potentially malicious documents, and user education to avoid opening suspicious files. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-121, which describes stack-based buffer overflow conditions, and may also relate to CWE-248, improper exception handling. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability could be categorized under initial access techniques through malicious file delivery and privilege escalation if exploited further. Security teams should also consider implementing application whitelisting policies and monitoring for unusual application crash patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. Additionally, regular vulnerability assessments should include checks for outdated PDF reader software, as this type of vulnerability often indicates broader security gaps in document processing applications that may be susceptible to similar issues.