CVE-2018-9963 in Foxit
Summary
by MITRE
This vulnerability allows remote attackers to disclose sensitive information on vulnerable installations of Foxit Reader 9.0.1.1049. 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 JPEG2000 images. The issue results from the lack of proper validation of user-supplied data, which can result in a read past the end of an allocated object. An attacker can leverage this in conjunction with other vulnerabilities to execute code in the context of the current process. Was ZDI-CAN-5549.
If you want to get the best quality for vulnerability data then you always have to consider VulDB.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/06/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-9963 represents a critical information disclosure flaw affecting Foxit Reader version 9.0.1.1049 and potentially other versions within the same product line. This security issue demonstrates the inherent risks associated with improper input validation in document processing applications, particularly when handling complex image formats that require sophisticated parsing mechanisms. The vulnerability operates at the intersection of memory safety and document rendering, where the application fails to properly validate user-supplied data during JPEG2000 image processing, creating a dangerous condition that can be exploited remotely by malicious actors.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability lies in the insufficient validation of user-supplied data during JPEG2000 image parsing operations, specifically manifesting as a read past the end of an allocated object condition. This type of flaw falls under the CWE-125 category of Out-of-Bounds Read, which occurs when a program attempts to access memory beyond the boundaries of a allocated buffer or object. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because JPEG2000 is a complex image format that requires extensive parsing logic and memory management, making it susceptible to various memory corruption scenarios. When Foxit Reader processes a maliciously crafted JPEG2000 image, the parsing routine fails to validate the image data structure properly, leading to memory access violations that can be leveraged for information disclosure.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it creates a potential pathway for more severe exploits within the context of the current process. Attackers can construct malicious web pages or documents containing specially crafted JPEG2000 images that trigger the out-of-bounds read condition when processed by the vulnerable Foxit Reader application. This requires user interaction through visiting malicious web pages or opening malicious files, making it a client-side attack vector that can be effectively delivered through phishing campaigns or compromised websites. The vulnerability's exploitation potential is significantly enhanced when combined with other existing vulnerabilities in the same application, as the information disclosure can serve as a stepping stone for privilege escalation or code execution attacks. This aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for Command and Scripting Interpreter and T1068 for Exploitation for Privilege Escalation.
The security implications of CVE-2018-9963 highlight the critical importance of input validation and memory safety in document processing applications, particularly those handling complex multimedia formats. The vulnerability demonstrates how seemingly innocuous image processing operations can become attack vectors when proper bounds checking and data validation mechanisms are absent. Organizations using Foxit Reader should consider this vulnerability as part of a broader security posture assessment, particularly given that it can be combined with other exploits to achieve more severe outcomes. The flaw's classification as a remote information disclosure vulnerability means that attackers can exploit it without requiring physical access to target systems, making it particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where document sharing and collaboration are common practices.
Effective mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate patching of affected Foxit Reader installations to the latest available versions that contain proper input validation and bounds checking mechanisms. System administrators should also implement network-based protections such as web application firewalls and content filtering solutions that can detect and block malicious JPEG2000 content before it reaches vulnerable endpoints. Additionally, user education and awareness programs should emphasize the importance of avoiding untrusted web content and suspicious email attachments that could contain malicious documents. The vulnerability serves as a reminder that document processing applications must maintain robust security controls throughout their parsing and rendering pipelines, particularly when handling complex formats that require extensive memory management and data validation. Organizations should also consider implementing sandboxing mechanisms and privilege separation techniques to limit the potential impact of successful exploitation attempts, as the vulnerability can be leveraged to execute code in the context of the current process, potentially leading to full system compromise.