CVE-2018-5675 in Foxit Reader
Summary
by MITRE
This vulnerability allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code on vulnerable installations of Foxit Reader before 9.1 and PhantomPDF before 9.1. 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 processing of specially crafted pdf files with embedded u3d images. Crafted data in the PDF file can trigger an out-of-bounds write on a buffer. An attacker can leverage this vulnerability to execute code under the context of the current process.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/16/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-5675 represents a critical remote code execution flaw affecting Foxit Reader versions prior to 9.1 and PhantomPDF versions before 9.1. This weakness resides in the software's handling of PDF files containing embedded Universal 3D (U3D) images, which are three-dimensional graphics objects used for displaying 3D content within PDF documents. The vulnerability operates through a sophisticated buffer overflow mechanism that occurs during the parsing and rendering of these specific multimedia elements, making it particularly dangerous in environments where users frequently encounter PDF documents from untrusted sources.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability stems from improper bounds checking within the PDF processing engine when handling U3D data structures. When a malicious PDF file containing specially crafted U3D elements is opened, the application's memory management fails to validate the size and boundaries of data structures, leading to an out-of-bounds write condition. This memory corruption allows attackers to overwrite critical memory locations and potentially redirect program execution flow, enabling arbitrary code execution with the privileges of the currently running process. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-121 as a stack-based buffer overflow, though it manifests as an out-of-bounds write that can be leveraged for more sophisticated attack vectors.
The operational impact of CVE-2018-5675 extends beyond simple remote code execution, as it provides attackers with a pathway to establish persistent access to compromised systems. Since the vulnerability requires user interaction through visiting malicious web pages or opening infected PDF files, it aligns with ATT&CK technique T1203 for Exploitation for Client Execution, making it particularly effective in phishing campaigns and targeted attacks. The attack surface is broadened by the widespread use of PDF readers in corporate and governmental environments, where users regularly open documents from various sources without adequate security screening. This vulnerability essentially transforms any PDF reader installation into a potential attack vector, especially in environments where users lack security awareness training or robust content filtering mechanisms.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-5675 should prioritize immediate software updates to versions 9.1 or later, which contain patches addressing the buffer overflow conditions in U3D processing. Organizations should implement comprehensive patch management protocols to ensure all systems are updated promptly, as the vulnerability can be exploited remotely without any special privileges required from the attacker. Additional protective measures include deploying PDF content filtering solutions that can scan and sanitize PDF files before they reach end users, implementing sandboxing technologies for PDF processing, and establishing user education programs to recognize suspicious PDF attachments or web links. Network-based intrusion detection systems should also be configured to monitor for traffic patterns associated with exploitation attempts, while endpoint protection solutions should be updated to include signature-based detection for known malicious PDF payloads. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of secure coding practices and proper input validation, particularly when handling complex multimedia elements within document processing applications.