CVE-2018-9949 in Foxit
Summary
by MITRE
This vulnerability allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code on vulnerable installations of Foxit Reader 9.0.0.29935. 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 parsing of TIFF files. The issue results from the lack of proper validation of the length of user-supplied data prior to copying it to a fixed-length, heap-based buffer. An attacker can leverage this vulnerability to execute code under the context of the current process. Was ZDI-CAN-5473.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/14/2024
CVE-2018-9949 represents a critical buffer overflow vulnerability affecting Foxit Reader version 9.0.0.29935 that enables remote code execution through malicious TIFF file manipulation. This vulnerability resides within the application's TIFF file parsing functionality and demonstrates a classic improper input validation flaw that has been categorized under CWE-121 as a stack-based buffer overflow. The vulnerability stems from insufficient validation of user-supplied data length before copying it into a fixed-length heap-based buffer, creating an exploitable condition that allows attackers to overwrite adjacent memory locations and potentially execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the current process.
The exploitation of this vulnerability requires user interaction, specifically targeting the victim to visit a malicious webpage or open a crafted malicious file containing the malformed TIFF data. This requirement aligns with ATT&CK technique T1203 which describes exploitation of a remote service through user interaction. The attack vector demonstrates a typical social engineering component where users must be tricked into opening malicious content, making this vulnerability particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where users may inadvertently encounter such attacks through phishing emails or compromised websites.
The technical impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution to encompass complete system compromise when successful. The heap-based buffer overflow allows attackers to manipulate memory contents in ways that can lead to arbitrary code execution, privilege escalation, or denial of service conditions. The vulnerability's exploitation potential is heightened by the fact that it operates within a widely used PDF and document reader application, providing attackers with a common entry point into targeted systems. The specific nature of the flaw within the TIFF parsing component means that any application relying on Foxit Reader for document processing could become compromised when handling malicious TIFF files.
Organizations should prioritize immediate remediation of this vulnerability through official patches provided by Foxit Corporation, as the vulnerability has been classified as a high-risk security issue requiring urgent attention. Mitigation strategies should include network-level protections such as web application firewalls that can detect and block malicious TIFF file content, user education programs to reduce successful social engineering attacks, and application whitelisting to prevent unauthorized execution of vulnerable applications. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of proper input validation and bounds checking in document processing applications, aligning with security best practices outlined in the OWASP Top Ten and ISO 27001 standards for secure software development. Additionally, system administrators should consider implementing sandboxing techniques and privilege separation to limit the potential impact of successful exploitation attempts, ensuring that even if an attacker successfully exploits this vulnerability, the damage remains contained within a limited scope.