CVE-2022-24954 in Foxit
Summary
by MITRE • 02/11/2022
Foxit PDF Reader before 11.2.1 and Foxit PDF Editor before 11.2.1 have a Stack-Based Buffer Overflow related to XFA, for the 'subform colSpan="-2"' and 'draw colSpan="1"' substrings.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/16/2022
The vulnerability CVE-2022-24954 represents a critical stack-based buffer overflow flaw affecting Foxit PDF Reader and Foxit PDF Editor versions prior to 11.2.1. This vulnerability specifically targets the XML Forms Architecture XFA processing functionality within the PDF rendering engine, making it particularly dangerous for users who frequently interact with PDF forms containing complex data structures. The flaw manifests when the software encounters malformed XFA elements with specific attribute values that trigger improper memory handling during parsing operations.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and boundary checking within the XFA parser component. When processing the specific substrings 'subform colSpan="-2"' and 'draw colSpan="1"', the application fails to properly validate the numerical values assigned to the colSpan attribute, leading to a situation where attacker-controlled data can overwrite adjacent memory locations on the stack. This type of buffer overflow directly maps to CWE-121 Stack-based Buffer Overflow, which is classified as a high-risk vulnerability due to its potential for arbitrary code execution and system compromise. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because XFA forms are commonly used in enterprise environments for data collection and document processing, making them attractive targets for exploitation.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple denial of service scenarios, as it provides attackers with potential pathways for privilege escalation and persistent system compromise. When exploited successfully, the buffer overflow can lead to complete system control, allowing threat actors to execute malicious code with the privileges of the affected application user. This vulnerability falls under the ATT&CK technique T1203 Exploitation for Client Execution, where adversaries leverage application vulnerabilities to gain unauthorized access. The attack surface is particularly broad given that PDF documents are widely shared across organizations and can be easily delivered via email, web downloads, or file sharing systems, making automated exploitation feasible.
Mitigation strategies should focus on immediate patch deployment for all affected Foxit products, with version 11.2.1 or later recommended to address the buffer overflow conditions. Organizations should implement strict document validation policies that scan incoming PDF files for potentially malicious XFA structures before processing, while also considering network-based intrusion detection systems that can identify exploitation attempts. Additionally, user education regarding the dangers of opening untrusted PDF documents remains crucial, as social engineering remains a common delivery method for such exploits. Security teams should monitor for indicators of compromise related to PDF processing activities and maintain updated threat intelligence feeds specific to Foxit software vulnerabilities to ensure comprehensive protection against this and similar threats.