CVE-2022-28679 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-16861.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/06/2022
CVE-2022-28679 represents a critical remote code execution vulnerability affecting Foxit PDF Reader version 11.2.1.53537 that demonstrates a classic object validation flaw in software security architecture. This vulnerability operates under the Common Weakness Enumeration category CWE-476 which specifically addresses NULL pointer dereferences, though the implementation here involves improper validation of annotation objects within PDF processing. The flaw manifests when the PDF reader handles Annotation objects without first verifying their existence or proper initialization, creating a pathway for malicious actors to inject and execute arbitrary code within the application's execution context.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability requires a user to interact with a maliciously crafted PDF file or web page containing specially constructed annotation objects that trigger the unsafe object handling behavior. This user interaction requirement places the vulnerability in the ATT&CK framework under technique T1203 - Exploitation for Client Execution, as it leverages a legitimate application to execute malicious code. The vulnerability exists in the PDF parsing component where annotation objects are processed, and the lack of proper null checks or object validation creates an opportunity for attackers to manipulate memory structures and execute shellcode within the Foxit Reader process privileges.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability presents a significant risk to organizations relying on Foxit PDF Reader for document processing, as successful exploitation could result in complete system compromise. The code execution occurs in the context of the current process, meaning that any privileges granted to the Foxit Reader application are potentially accessible to the attacker, which could include access to local files, network resources, or even escalation to higher privilege levels depending on the system configuration. The vulnerability's remote exploitability makes it particularly dangerous in environments where users frequently open PDF documents from untrusted sources or web applications.
Security mitigations for this vulnerability should focus on immediate patching of Foxit PDF Reader to version 11.2.1.53537 or later, as this represents the official fix provided by the vendor. Organizations should also implement network-based controls such as web application firewalls and content filtering to block access to known malicious PDF sources. Additionally, user education programs should emphasize the importance of only opening PDF files from trusted sources and avoiding suspicious web content. The vulnerability's nature suggests that runtime application control measures could also be effective, including process isolation and privilege separation techniques that limit the damage potential of successful exploits. Network segmentation and monitoring for unusual PDF processing activities can provide additional layers of defense against this type of attack vector.