CVE-2019-20831 in Foxit
Summary
by MITRE
An issue was discovered in the 3D Plugin Beta for Foxit Reader and PhantomPDF before 9.5.0.20733. It has void data mishandling, causing a crash.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/22/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-20831 represents a critical flaw within the 3D Plugin Beta component of Foxit Reader and PhantomPDF software versions prior to 9.5.0.20733. This issue manifests through improper handling of void data structures during the processing of 3D content within PDF documents, creating a potential pathway for denial of service conditions that can severely impact user productivity and system stability. The vulnerability specifically affects the beta version of the 3D plugin functionality that allows users to view and interact with three-dimensional content embedded within PDF files, a feature that has become increasingly common in technical documentation and engineering drawings.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and memory management within the 3D plugin's data processing routines. When the plugin encounters malformed or unexpected void data elements during the parsing of 3D content, the software fails to properly handle these conditions, resulting in uncontrolled program termination and system crashes. This void data mishandling represents a classic example of improper error handling that can be categorized under CWE-248, or "Uncaught Exception," where the application does not adequately protect against unexpected data states that could lead to application instability. The flaw occurs during the initialization or rendering phase of 3D objects, where the plugin attempts to process void data structures without proper boundary checks or exception handling mechanisms.
The operational impact of CVE-2019-20831 extends beyond simple application crashes to potentially disrupt critical business processes that rely on document viewing capabilities. Organizations using Foxit Reader or PhantomPDF for technical documentation review, engineering collaboration, or legal proceedings could experience significant downtime when encountering maliciously crafted PDF files containing the vulnerable 3D content. The vulnerability can be exploited through social engineering tactics where attackers distribute PDF documents with specially crafted 3D elements designed to trigger the crash condition. This makes the vulnerability particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where document sharing is common and where the software is used for mission-critical applications. The crash behavior can be leveraged as a denial of service vector that may prevent legitimate users from accessing important documents, potentially leading to productivity losses measured in hours or days.
Security professionals should note that this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1203, "Exploitation for Client Execution," as it represents a method of executing malicious code through the exploitation of software vulnerabilities in document readers. The recommended mitigations include immediate deployment of the patched versions of Foxit Reader and PhantomPDF, specifically version 9.5.0.20733 or later, which contain proper void data handling and exception management routines. Organizations should also implement network-based protections such as PDF content filtering and sandboxing solutions to prevent potentially malicious documents from reaching end users. Additionally, user education regarding the risks of opening documents from untrusted sources remains crucial, as this vulnerability can be effectively exploited through phishing campaigns or compromised document repositories. The fix implemented by Foxit addresses the underlying void data handling issue through enhanced input validation and proper memory management protocols that prevent the uncontrolled crashes associated with malformed 3D content processing.