CVE-2018-9981 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 U3D files. The issue results from the lack of proper initialization of a pointer prior to accessing it. An attacker can leverage this vulnerability to execute code under the context of the current process. Was ZDI-CAN-5431.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/06/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-9981 represents a critical security flaw in Foxit Reader version 9.0.0.29935 that enables remote code execution through improper pointer handling during U3D file parsing operations. This vulnerability falls under the CWE-476 category of NULL Pointer Dereference, where the software fails to properly initialize a pointer before attempting to access it, creating a predictable execution path that malicious actors can exploit. The flaw specifically manifests within the Universal 3D file format processing component of the PDF reader, which is commonly used for embedding 3D graphics and models within documents.
The exploitation of this vulnerability requires user interaction, meaning that attackers must convince victims to visit malicious websites or open compromised files containing specially crafted U3D content. This social engineering aspect reduces the automated exploitation potential but does not eliminate the severity of the flaw. When a user opens or navigates to a malicious U3D file, the uninitialized pointer causes a memory access violation that can be manipulated to redirect execution flow. This type of vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1203 - Exploitation for Client Execution, where adversaries leverage software vulnerabilities to execute malicious code on target systems.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution, as it allows attackers to operate under the privileges of the current process, typically the user context in which Foxit Reader is running. This privilege escalation capability means that successful exploitation could lead to full system compromise, especially if the user has administrative privileges. The vulnerability's presence in a widely used PDF reader application creates a significant attack surface, as users frequently interact with PDF documents from untrusted sources, making this flaw particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where document sharing is common.
Organizations should prioritize immediate mitigation through official patches provided by Foxit Corporation, as the vulnerability affects a core component of document processing software. System administrators should implement network segmentation and web filtering controls to prevent access to known malicious domains, while also monitoring for suspicious U3D file activity. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper memory management practices and input validation in software development, particularly for applications that process complex file formats. Security teams should also consider implementing endpoint detection and response solutions that can identify anomalous behavior associated with pointer dereference operations and potential code execution attempts. The flaw serves as a reminder of the critical need for thorough software testing and code review processes that address memory safety concerns in applications handling user-supplied content.