CVE-2019-6746 in Studio Photo
Summary
by MITRE
This vulnerability allows remote attackers to disclose sensitive information on vulnerable installations of Foxit Studio Photo 3.6.6. 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 handling of TIF files. 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 structure. An attacker can leverage this in conjunction with other vulnerabilities to execute code in the context of the current process. Was ZDI-CAN-7634.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/26/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-6746 represents a critical information disclosure flaw affecting Foxit Studio Photo version 3.6.6 and potentially other affected versions. This vulnerability resides within the application's handling of Tagged Image File Format (TIF) files, which are commonly used for storing high-quality images and are widely supported across various imaging applications. The flaw manifests when the software processes malformed TIF files without proper input validation, creating a scenario where memory access violations can occur. This particular vulnerability falls under the category of buffer over-read conditions as classified by CWE-126, which specifically addresses memory access errors that occur when reading beyond the boundaries of allocated memory structures.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the application's insufficient validation mechanisms when parsing TIF file headers and metadata structures. When a malicious TIF file is processed, the software fails to properly bounds-check the data it reads from the file, leading to a situation where the application attempts to read memory locations beyond the intended data boundaries. This improper memory handling creates opportunities for attackers to extract sensitive information from adjacent memory locations, potentially exposing system secrets, user credentials, or other confidential data that may be stored in the application's memory space. The vulnerability requires user interaction to be exploited effectively, as victims must either visit a malicious webpage or open a crafted TIF file, making it a client-side attack vector that aligns with ATT&CK technique T1203 for exploitation through web-based attacks.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it creates a potential pathway for more severe exploits. Attackers can leverage the memory read past the end of allocated structures to gather information about the application's memory layout, which can then be used to develop more sophisticated attacks such as arbitrary code execution. The vulnerability's exploitation potential is particularly concerning given that it can be combined with other weaknesses to achieve privilege escalation or complete system compromise. The fact that this vulnerability was tracked as ZDI-CAN-7634 indicates it was recognized by the Zero Day Initiative security researchers, highlighting its significance in the cybersecurity community. Organizations running Foxit Studio Photo should consider this vulnerability as part of a broader attack surface that could enable advanced persistent threats or targeted attacks against their systems.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2019-6746 should focus on both immediate protective measures and long-term security improvements. The most effective immediate solution involves updating to the latest version of Foxit Studio Photo where the vulnerability has been patched, as this addresses the root cause of the improper input validation. Organizations should also implement strict file validation policies that prevent the processing of untrusted TIF files, particularly those received through email attachments or downloaded from unverified websites. Network-based defenses such as web application firewalls and content filtering systems can help prevent the delivery of malicious TIF files to end users. Additionally, security awareness training should emphasize the dangers of opening unknown or suspicious files, as user interaction remains a critical component of exploitation. From a defensive standpoint, implementing memory protection mechanisms such as address space layout randomization and data execution prevention can help mitigate the potential impact of successful exploitation attempts, although these measures are secondary to proper input validation and software updates.