CVE-2019-6982 in 3D Plugin
Summary
by MITRE
An issue was discovered in Foxit 3D Plugin Beta before 9.4.0.16807 for Foxit Reader and PhantomPDF. The application could encounter an Out-of-Bounds Write and crash during the handling of certain PDF files that embed specifically crafted 3D content, because of the improper handling of a logic exception in the IFXASSERT function.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/06/2020
The vulnerability CVE-2019-6982 represents a critical memory corruption flaw in Foxit Reader and PhantomPDF applications that affects versions prior to 9.4.0.16807. This issue specifically manifests within the Foxit 3D Plugin Beta component, which processes three-dimensional content embedded in PDF documents. The flaw arises from inadequate error handling mechanisms that fail to properly manage exceptional conditions during the processing of malformed 3D data structures. When a maliciously crafted PDF file containing specially designed 3D content is opened, the application's IFXASSERT function encounters a logic exception that is not appropriately handled, leading to unpredictable behavior.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability stems from improper bounds checking and exception management within the 3D rendering pipeline of the Foxit software suite. The IFXASSERT function, which serves as a debugging mechanism to verify assumptions and validate program state, fails to properly handle the scenario where a specific condition is met during 3D content processing. This failure results in an out-of-bounds write operation that overwrites adjacent memory locations, ultimately causing the application to crash or potentially allowing arbitrary code execution. The vulnerability classifies as a buffer overflow condition that occurs during legitimate application operation rather than through external exploitation, making it particularly dangerous as it can be triggered by simply opening a malicious document.
The operational impact of CVE-2019-6982 extends beyond simple application instability, as it represents a potential pathway for more severe attacks within enterprise environments. Organizations utilizing Foxit Reader and PhantomPDF for document processing face significant risk when handling untrusted PDF content, as the vulnerability can be exploited through social engineering tactics or automated document delivery systems. The crash behavior impacts both user productivity and system availability, while the potential for out-of-bounds writes opens possibilities for privilege escalation or code execution depending on the execution context. This vulnerability particularly affects environments where PDF document processing is automated or where users regularly open documents from external sources without proper content validation.
Security practitioners should consider this vulnerability in the context of broader attack surface management and application security hardening strategies. The flaw demonstrates the importance of robust error handling and memory management practices, particularly in complex multimedia processing components. Mitigation efforts should include immediate patch deployment to Foxit versions 9.4.0.16807 or later, which address the improper handling of the IFXASSERT function and implement proper bounds checking for 3D content processing. Organizations may also implement additional protective measures such as PDF sandboxing, content filtering, and restricted user permissions for document processing applications. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-121, which addresses stack-based buffer overflow conditions, and represents a typical example of how improper exception handling can lead to memory corruption vulnerabilities that may be leveraged for more sophisticated attacks within the MITRE ATT&CK framework's execution and privilege escalation domains.