CVE-2019-17135 in PhantomPDF
Summary
by MITRE
This vulnerability allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code on affected installations of Foxit PhantomPDF 9.5.0.20723. 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 DXF files. The issue results from the lack of proper validation of user-supplied data, which can result in a memory corruption condition. An attacker can leverage this vulnerability to execute code in the context of the current process. Was ZDI-CAN-8775.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/11/2025
CVE-2019-17135 represents a critical remote code execution vulnerability affecting Foxit PhantomPDF version 9.5.0.20723 that demonstrates a classic memory corruption flaw in the software's handling of DXF (Drawing Exchange Format) file parsing operations. This vulnerability operates under the weakness category identified as CWE-125, which describes out-of-bounds read conditions that can lead to memory corruption and arbitrary code execution. The flaw exists within the parsing logic that processes DXF files, where insufficient input validation allows maliciously crafted data to trigger buffer overflows or other memory corruption scenarios that can be exploited by remote attackers.
The attack vector requires user interaction through either visiting a malicious webpage that loads a crafted DXF file or opening a malicious DXF file directly, making this a typical client-side exploitation scenario. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1203 - Exploitation for Client Execution, where adversaries leverage software vulnerabilities to execute code on target systems. The memory corruption condition occurs when the application fails to properly validate the structure and content of DXF file elements, allowing an attacker to manipulate the parsing process into writing data beyond allocated memory boundaries, potentially overwriting critical process memory regions including return addresses or function pointers.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution, as it provides attackers with the ability to operate within the security context of the currently running PhantomPDF process, which typically has elevated privileges depending on the system configuration and user permissions. This allows for privilege escalation scenarios where attackers can potentially gain access to sensitive system resources or data that would otherwise be protected. The vulnerability's exploitation requires careful crafting of DXF file structures that can bypass existing security measures while maintaining valid file format syntax, making it particularly dangerous as it can evade basic file validation mechanisms that might otherwise detect malicious content.
Organizations using Foxit PhantomPDF should immediately implement mitigations including updating to patched versions of the software, implementing network-based restrictions on DXF file handling, and deploying application whitelisting solutions to prevent execution of untrusted DXF files. The vulnerability also underscores the importance of input validation and proper memory management practices in document processing applications, as highlighted by CWE-707, which addresses improper handling of potentially malicious inputs in security contexts. Additionally, security teams should consider implementing sandboxing measures for document processing applications and monitoring for unusual file access patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts, as the vulnerability can be leveraged for persistent access through the compromised PDF viewer application.