CVE-2018-19444 in Reader SDK Professsional
Summary
by MITRE
A use after free in the TextBox field Validate action in IReader_ContentProvider can occur for specially crafted PDF files in Foxit Reader SDK (ActiveX) Professional 5.4.0.1031. An attacker can leverage this to gain remote code execution. Relative to CVE-2018-19452, this has a different free location and requires different JavaScript code for exploitation.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/05/2023
The vulnerability CVE-2018-19444 represents a critical use-after-free condition within the Foxit Reader SDK ActiveX component version 5.4.0.1031. This flaw exists in the TextBox field Validate action processing within the IReader_ContentProvider module, specifically affecting the professional edition of the SDK. The vulnerability manifests when processing specially crafted PDF files that contain malicious JavaScript code designed to trigger the use-after-free scenario during the validation process of text input fields. The flaw stems from improper memory management where a pointer to a memory location is accessed after that memory has been freed, creating a potential exploitation vector for remote code execution attacks. This vulnerability is particularly concerning because it operates within the context of PDF rendering and JavaScript execution, which are common attack vectors in enterprise environments where PDF documents are frequently opened and processed.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the manipulation of memory allocation and deallocation sequences within the Foxit Reader SDK's text field validation mechanism. When a malicious PDF file containing crafted JavaScript code is processed, the Validate action of a TextBox field triggers an improper sequence where memory allocated for text field validation data is freed but subsequently accessed through dangling pointers. This creates a scenario where an attacker can overwrite freed memory with malicious code, potentially leading to arbitrary code execution with the privileges of the affected application. The vulnerability requires specific conditions to be met including proper JavaScript syntax and memory layout manipulation to achieve successful exploitation. Unlike similar vulnerabilities such as CVE-2018-19452, this particular flaw exhibits different memory deallocation patterns and requires distinct JavaScript payload construction, making it a unique variant in the Foxit Reader SDK's memory management flaws.
The operational impact of CVE-2018-19444 extends beyond simple remote code execution to encompass significant security risks for organizations relying on Foxit Reader SDK implementations. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability through malicious PDF documents delivered via email phishing campaigns, compromised websites, or other social engineering vectors that trick users into opening infected documents. The exploitation process typically involves crafting a PDF file with specific JavaScript code that triggers the memory corruption during text field validation, followed by code execution in the context of the vulnerable application. This vulnerability affects not just end-user systems but also server-side applications that process PDF documents, potentially enabling attackers to compromise entire document processing pipelines. The vulnerability's presence in the ActiveX component makes it particularly dangerous in corporate environments where ActiveX controls are frequently enabled and trusted by users, creating a broad attack surface for exploitation.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-19444 should focus on immediate patching of the Foxit Reader SDK to the latest available versions that contain memory management fixes and proper input validation. Organizations should implement strict PDF document filtering policies that scan for potentially malicious content and restrict the execution of JavaScript within PDF documents. Network-based security controls including web application firewalls and content filtering systems should be configured to block suspicious PDF content and monitor for exploitation attempts. Additionally, user education and awareness programs should emphasize the dangers of opening PDF documents from untrusted sources, while privileged access controls should be implemented to limit the potential damage from successful exploitation attempts. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-416, which describes the use of freed memory condition, and maps to ATT&CK technique T1203, which covers exploitation for privilege escalation through code injection attacks. Organizations should also consider implementing sandboxing mechanisms for PDF processing and regularly monitoring for signs of exploitation attempts through network traffic analysis and endpoint detection systems.