CVE-2022-28672 in Foxit
Summary
by MITRE • 07/18/2022
This vulnerability allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code on affected installations of Foxit PDF Reader 11.2.1.53537. 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 Doc objects. The issue results from the lack of validating the existence of an object prior to performing operations on the object. An attacker can leverage this vulnerability to execute code in the context of the current process. Was ZDI-CAN-16640.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/06/2022
CVE-2022-28672 represents a critical remote code execution vulnerability affecting Foxit PDF Reader version 11.2.1.53537 that demonstrates a classic object validation flaw within the document object handling mechanism. This vulnerability resides in the software's failure to properly validate the existence of Doc objects before performing operations on them, creating a dangerous condition where malicious actors can manipulate the application's object model to execute arbitrary code. The vulnerability specifically manifests when the application processes malicious PDF files or web pages containing crafted Doc objects that trigger improper memory handling. The flaw directly maps to CWE-476 which describes the weakness of null pointer dereference or improper object validation, where software fails to check if an object exists before accessing its properties or methods. This vulnerability operates under the principle of uninitialized object access, where the application assumes objects exist in memory without proper verification, allowing attackers to craft malicious documents that exploit this assumption. The attack vector requires user interaction through visiting malicious web pages or opening compromised PDF files, making it particularly dangerous in phishing campaigns or social engineering attacks where users are诱导 to interact with crafted content. The exploitation occurs at the application level where the PDF reader's document parser encounters malformed Doc objects and attempts operations on them without proper validation, leading to memory corruption that attackers can manipulate for code execution. The impact extends beyond simple code execution as the vulnerability allows attackers to operate within the context of the current process, potentially escalating privileges or accessing sensitive user data. This weakness enables attackers to bypass standard security controls that protect against direct system exploitation, as the vulnerability exists within the legitimate application parsing functionality. The vulnerability's classification under the ATT&CK framework aligns with T1203 Exploitation for Client Execution, where adversaries leverage application vulnerabilities to execute malicious code on target systems. The specific nature of this flaw makes it particularly attractive to threat actors as it requires minimal user interaction beyond normal PDF viewing behavior, and the exploitation occurs within the trusted application environment where traditional security boundaries may not apply. The vulnerability's persistence in the software ecosystem highlights the importance of proper input validation and object lifecycle management in document processing applications. Security professionals should note that this vulnerability represents a fundamental flaw in the application's defensive programming practices, where the absence of proper null checks and object validation creates a pathway for arbitrary code execution. The exploitation of this vulnerability underscores the need for comprehensive application security testing including dynamic analysis of document parsing functionality and thorough validation of object states before operations are performed. Organizations should prioritize immediate patching of affected versions and implement additional security measures such as web filtering and application whitelisting to prevent exploitation. The vulnerability also emphasizes the critical importance of sandboxing PDF processing applications and implementing strict input validation for all external data sources to prevent similar issues in other software components. This flaw demonstrates how seemingly minor validation gaps in document processing applications can lead to severe security implications, making it essential for security teams to perform regular vulnerability assessments of document handling components within their software portfolios. The presence of this vulnerability in a widely used PDF reader application highlights the need for robust security practices in software development lifecycle processes and emphasizes the importance of threat modeling during application design phases to identify potential object validation weaknesses.