CVE-2022-28678 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-16805.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/06/2022
CVE-2022-28678 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 attackers can manipulate the application's object model to execute arbitrary code. The vulnerability operates under the CWE-476 principle of null pointer dereference, where the application assumes object existence without proper validation, allowing malicious input to trigger unintended behavior. The attack requires user interaction through visiting a malicious webpage or opening a specially crafted malicious file, making this a typical client-side exploitation vector that aligns with ATT&CK technique T1203 for exploitation for execution. The flaw specifically impacts the PDF reader's document object model processing, where the application fails to verify that referenced objects exist before attempting to access or manipulate them, potentially leading to memory corruption and arbitrary code execution in the context of the current process.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution, as it provides attackers with a complete compromise of the affected system through the PDF reader application. When a user interacts with the malicious content, the vulnerability allows for privilege escalation within the application's execution context, potentially enabling attackers to perform actions that should be restricted to authorized users. The exploitation mechanism leverages the lack of proper input validation and object existence checking, which violates fundamental security principles of defensive programming and input sanitization. This vulnerability affects organizations that rely heavily on PDF document processing, as it can be triggered through various attack vectors including web browsing, email attachments, and document sharing platforms. The security implications are particularly severe given that PDF readers are frequently used in enterprise environments where they process documents from untrusted sources, creating numerous potential attack surfaces for threat actors.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2022-28678 should focus on immediate patching of the Foxit PDF Reader application to the latest version that addresses the object validation flaw. Organizations must implement strict document validation policies and consider deploying sandboxing mechanisms to isolate PDF processing activities from critical system resources. Network-level controls such as web application firewalls and content filtering solutions can help detect and block malicious PDF content before it reaches end users. Additionally, user education programs should emphasize the importance of avoiding suspicious PDF files and websites, while security teams should monitor for indicators of compromise related to this vulnerability. The remediation process should include comprehensive vulnerability scanning to identify all affected systems and ensure proper patch deployment across the enterprise environment. Organizations should also consider implementing application whitelisting policies that restrict execution of unauthorized PDF processing applications, reducing the attack surface for similar vulnerabilities. Security monitoring should be enhanced to detect anomalous behavior patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts, particularly around object access and memory manipulation activities. The vulnerability highlights the importance of proper input validation and object existence checking in software development practices, emphasizing the need for robust defensive coding techniques that align with industry standards and security frameworks.