CVE-2022-28675 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 Annotation 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-16642.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/06/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-28675 represents a critical remote code execution flaw within Foxit PDF Reader version 11.2.1.53537, classified under CWE-476 as a NULL Pointer Dereference. This vulnerability resides in the PDF reader's annotation handling mechanism where the software fails to validate the existence of objects before performing operations on them, creating a dangerous condition that allows attackers to manipulate memory access patterns. The flaw specifically manifests when processing malformed Annotation objects within PDF documents, which can be delivered through malicious web pages or crafted files that users are tricked into opening.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability follows a classic null pointer dereference attack pattern where the application attempts to access memory locations through pointers that have not been properly initialized or validated. When a malicious PDF document contains crafted annotation objects, the Foxit PDF Reader processes these elements without adequate input validation, leading to a scenario where subsequent operations attempt to access freed or uninitialized memory regions. This memory corruption allows attackers to inject and execute arbitrary code within the context of the current process, effectively elevating their privileges to match those of the PDF reader application. The vulnerability requires user interaction to be exploited, typically through social engineering tactics that convince victims to open malicious PDF files or visit compromised websites hosting the malicious content.
The operational impact of CVE-2022-28675 extends beyond simple code execution as it provides attackers with a foothold for more sophisticated attacks within the victim's environment. Since the exploit operates within the context of the PDF reader process, attackers can potentially access sensitive data, modify documents, or establish persistent access points through the compromised application. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter, as successful exploitation enables attackers to execute commands through the PDF reader's process. This flaw particularly affects enterprise environments where PDF documents are frequently shared and opened, creating numerous potential attack vectors for threat actors. Organizations using Foxit PDF Reader version 11.2.1.53537 face significant risk as this vulnerability can be leveraged for data exfiltration, lateral movement, or as a stepping stone for more complex attacks within the network infrastructure.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2022-28675 should prioritize immediate patching of Foxit PDF Reader installations to the latest available version that addresses this specific vulnerability. Security administrators should implement network-level controls such as PDF file content filtering and web application firewalls to block suspicious PDF content from entering the network perimeter. Additionally, user education and awareness programs should emphasize the dangers of opening unexpected PDF files or visiting untrusted websites that may host malicious content. Organizations should consider implementing application whitelisting policies that restrict execution of PDF readers only from trusted sources and establish strict access controls for PDF handling applications. The vulnerability also underscores the importance of regular security assessments and penetration testing to identify similar issues in other PDF processing applications within the enterprise environment. Organizations should monitor threat intelligence feeds for indicators of compromise related to this vulnerability and maintain incident response procedures that account for potential exploitation scenarios involving PDF reader applications.