CVE-2022-28680 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-16821.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/06/2022
CVE-2022-28680 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 PDF processing engine. This vulnerability operates under the Common Weakness Enumeration framework as CWE-476, specifically addressing NULL pointer dereference conditions where the application fails to validate object existence before operations are performed. The flaw manifests in the annotation handling subsystem where the PDF reader processes Annotation objects without proper validation checks, creating an exploitable condition that allows attackers to craft malicious PDF files or web pages that trigger arbitrary code execution.
The technical exploitation mechanism relies on a lack of proper input validation within the PDF parser's annotation processing logic. When the Foxit PDF Reader encounters a malformed or specially crafted Annotation object, it attempts to perform operations on what it believes to be a valid object reference without verifying that the object actually exists or is properly initialized. This validation gap creates a scenario where attacker-controlled data can manipulate the program flow, potentially leading to memory corruption and code execution within the context of the running PDF reader process. The vulnerability requires user interaction through either visiting a malicious webpage or opening a crafted PDF file, making it a typical client-side attack vector that leverages social engineering techniques.
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 allow attackers to execute malicious code with the privileges of the current user. The attack surface extends beyond simple document viewing to include web browsing scenarios where users might encounter malicious PDF content in email attachments, web portals, or document repositories. The vulnerability's classification under the ATT&CK framework places it within the T1203 - Exploitation for Client Execution tactic, where adversaries leverage application vulnerabilities to execute code on target systems. This particular flaw is especially concerning because PDF readers are commonly used applications that often run with elevated privileges, potentially allowing attackers to escalate their access beyond initial exploitation boundaries.
The mitigation strategies for CVE-2022-28680 should prioritize immediate patch deployment from Foxit Corporation, as the vendor has addressed this vulnerability in subsequent releases. Organizations should implement network-level controls such as PDF file scanning and content filtering to prevent malicious documents from reaching end users, while also considering browser-based PDF viewing restrictions where possible. Security teams should conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify all systems running affected Foxit PDF Reader versions and establish monitoring procedures for suspicious file access patterns. Additionally, user education programs should emphasize the dangers of opening unexpected PDF files from untrusted sources, as the requirement for user interaction makes social engineering attacks particularly effective against this vulnerability. The remediation process should also include monitoring for indicators of compromise related to PDF processing and potential exploitation attempts, as the vulnerability's exploitation typically results in specific memory access patterns that can be detected through proper security monitoring implementations.