CVE-2022-22150 in Foxit
Summary
by MITRE • 02/05/2022
A memory corruption vulnerability exists in the JavaScript engine of Foxit Software’s PDF Reader, version 11.1.0.52543. A specially-crafted PDF document can trigger an exception which is improperly handled, leaving the engine in an invalid state, which can lead to memory corruption and arbitrary code execution. An attacker needs to trick the user to open the malicious file to trigger this vulnerability. Exploitation is also possible if a user visits a specially-crafted, malicious site if the browser plugin extension is enabled.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/07/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-22150 represents a critical memory corruption issue within Foxit Software's PDF Reader JavaScript engine, specifically affecting version 11.1.0.52543. This flaw resides in the engine's handling of malformed PDF documents and demonstrates a classic example of improper exception management that can lead to severe security consequences. The vulnerability stems from the JavaScript engine's inability to properly process certain malformed input data, creating a state where memory corruption can occur during normal document processing operations. The flaw manifests when a specially crafted PDF document triggers an exception that is not adequately handled, leaving the engine in an inconsistent state that can be exploited by malicious actors.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability involves a sophisticated attack vector that leverages the PDF reader's JavaScript execution environment to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the victim user. This memory corruption vulnerability directly maps to CWE-121, which describes heap-based buffer overflow conditions, and potentially CWE-125, which covers out-of-bounds read errors. The attack requires social engineering to convince users to open malicious PDF files or visit compromised websites when the browser plugin is enabled, making it particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where users may encounter such documents in legitimate business contexts. The vulnerability's impact is amplified by the fact that modern PDF readers often execute JavaScript automatically, providing attackers with multiple entry points for exploitation.
From an operational standpoint, this vulnerability presents significant risks to organizations relying on Foxit PDF Reader for document processing and viewing. The attack scenario typically involves sending malicious PDF attachments via email or hosting compromised websites that automatically trigger the exploit when viewed in browsers with the Foxit plugin enabled. The memory corruption can lead to complete system compromise, allowing attackers to execute arbitrary code, escalate privileges, or establish persistent backdoors. The exploitation process aligns with ATT&CK technique T1203, which covers exploitation for client execution through malicious documents, and T1059, covering command and scripting interpreter usage. Organizations using this software face potential data breaches, unauthorized system access, and complete loss of confidentiality for sensitive documents processed through the vulnerable application.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2022-22150 should prioritize immediate software updates from Foxit Software to address the root cause of the memory corruption issue. System administrators should implement strict document filtering policies that prevent automatic execution of JavaScript in PDF documents, particularly in high-risk environments. Network-level controls including web application firewalls and content filtering systems can help detect and block malicious PDF content before it reaches end users. Additionally, user education programs should emphasize the importance of verifying document sources and avoiding suspicious email attachments or websites. Security teams should monitor for exploitation attempts through network logs and endpoint detection systems, as the vulnerability's exploitation often generates specific patterns of network activity and memory access violations that can be detected through proper monitoring. Organizations should also consider implementing sandboxing technologies that isolate PDF processing operations from critical system resources to limit the potential impact of successful exploitation attempts.