CVE-2019-6985 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 Read in Indexing or a Heap Overflow and crash during handling of certain PDF files that embed specifically crafted 3D content, due to an array access violation.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/31/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-6985 represents a critical memory corruption flaw within the Foxit 3D Plugin Beta component of Foxit Reader and PhantomPDF applications. This issue affects versions prior to 9.4.0.16807 and demonstrates a fundamental failure in input validation and memory management when processing specially crafted 3D content embedded within PDF documents. The vulnerability manifests during the parsing and rendering of 3D objects, specifically when the application attempts to access memory locations beyond the allocated bounds of arrays used to store 3D model data.
The technical nature of this vulnerability falls under the category of memory corruption errors, specifically manifesting as out-of-bounds read conditions and heap overflow scenarios. When a maliciously crafted PDF file containing 3D content is opened, the Foxit 3D Plugin Beta component processes the embedded 3D data structures without proper bounds checking. This lack of validation allows an attacker to manipulate array indexing parameters such that memory access occurs beyond the legitimate memory boundaries allocated for the 3D content arrays. The heap overflow condition occurs when the application attempts to write data beyond the allocated heap memory region, potentially leading to arbitrary code execution or application crashes.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple application instability, as it creates a potential attack vector for remote code execution. An attacker could craft a malicious PDF file containing specifically designed 3D content that triggers the memory corruption when opened by an affected version of Foxit Reader or PhantomPDF. This scenario presents a significant risk in enterprise environments where PDF documents are frequently shared and opened, as the vulnerability could be exploited through social engineering attacks or automated document processing systems. The crash behavior indicates that the application fails to properly handle malformed 3D content, which could be leveraged for denial-of-service attacks or potentially more sophisticated exploitation techniques.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-129, which addresses "Improper Validation of Array Index" and CWE-787, which covers "Out-of-bounds Write." These weaknesses demonstrate the absence of proper input validation mechanisms and memory boundary checks in the 3D content handling code. From an adversarial perspective, this vulnerability maps to ATT&CK technique T1203, "Exploitation for Client Execution," as it represents a method for executing malicious code through compromised client applications. The attack surface is particularly concerning given that PDF documents are commonly used in business communications and document sharing environments, making this vulnerability exploitable through numerous attack vectors including email attachments, web downloads, and document sharing platforms.
The recommended mitigation strategy involves immediate deployment of the patched version 9.4.0.16807 or later, which includes proper bounds checking and memory validation mechanisms for 3D content processing. Organizations should also implement defensive measures such as PDF content filtering, sandboxing of PDF documents, and regular security updates for all PDF viewing applications. Additionally, user education regarding the dangers of opening untrusted PDF files, particularly those containing embedded multimedia content, should be emphasized as part of a comprehensive security posture. Network administrators should consider implementing network-based intrusion detection systems that can identify and block suspicious PDF content patterns associated with known exploit signatures for this vulnerability.