CVE-2022-28683 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 deletePages method. 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-16828.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/06/2022
CVE-2022-28683 represents a critical remote code execution vulnerability affecting Foxit PDF Reader version 11.2.1.53537 that demonstrates a classic null pointer dereference flaw within the deletePages method of the application's PDF processing engine. This vulnerability falls under CWE-476 which specifically addresses NULL pointer dereferences, where the application fails to validate object existence before attempting operations on potentially non-existent objects. The flaw manifests when the PDF reader processes maliciously crafted PDF files containing crafted page deletion commands that trigger the vulnerable deletePages method, creating a scenario where an attacker can manipulate the application's memory management to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the current user process.
The exploitation of this vulnerability requires user interaction through either visiting a malicious webpage that hosts a crafted PDF file or opening a malicious PDF document directly, making it a typical client-side attack vector that aligns with ATT&CK technique T1203 - Exploitation for Client Execution. The vulnerability's root cause stems from inadequate input validation and object lifecycle management within the PDF processing pipeline, where the application assumes certain objects exist without proper verification before attempting to access or manipulate them. This particular flaw enables attackers to bypass standard security boundaries and execute malicious payloads directly within the context of the Foxit PDF Reader process, potentially leading to full system compromise.
The operational impact of CVE-2022-28683 extends beyond simple code execution as it provides attackers with the ability to establish persistent access to affected systems, escalate privileges, and potentially deploy additional malware or backdoors. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to perform reconnaissance activities, exfiltrate sensitive data, or create covert channels for maintaining access to compromised systems. The vulnerability's classification as a remote code execution flaw means that attackers can exploit it without requiring physical access to the target system, making it particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where PDF documents are frequently shared and opened. Security researchers have identified that this vulnerability affects not only individual user systems but also enterprise environments where Foxit PDF Reader is deployed as part of organizational workflows, potentially creating widespread impact across multiple systems.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including updating to the latest version of Foxit PDF Reader where the vulnerability has been patched, implementing web application firewalls to filter malicious PDF content, and deploying user education programs to avoid opening suspicious PDF files. Network segmentation and monitoring for unusual PDF processing activities can help detect exploitation attempts. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing sandboxing mechanisms for PDF processing and maintaining up-to-date threat intelligence feeds to identify potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability's nature suggests that similar flaws may exist in other PDF processing libraries, making comprehensive code review and security testing of all PDF handling components essential for maintaining robust security postures.