CVE-2022-34875 in Foxit
Summary
by MITRE • 07/18/2022
This vulnerability allows remote attackers to disclose sensitive information 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 ADBC objects. By performing actions in JavaScript, an attacker can trigger a read past the end of an allocated object. An attacker can leverage this in conjunction with other vulnerabilities to execute arbitrary code in the context of the current process. Was ZDI-CAN-16981.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/06/2022
CVE-2022-34875 represents a critical information disclosure vulnerability affecting Foxit PDF Reader version 11.2.1.53537 that demonstrates a classic buffer over-read condition within the application's handling of ADBC objects. This vulnerability resides in the JavaScript execution environment of the PDF reader where improper bounds checking allows attackers to access memory locations beyond the allocated object boundaries. The flaw specifically manifests when processing ADBC (Adobe Database Connectivity) objects through JavaScript commands, creating an opportunity for unauthorized data retrieval that could expose sensitive information stored in adjacent memory regions. The vulnerability requires user interaction to exploit, meaning targets must either visit a malicious web page containing crafted PDF content or open a specially crafted malicious file that triggers the vulnerable code path. This attack vector aligns with common web-based exploitation techniques described in the attack chain framework where initial access is achieved through social engineering or compromised websites.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability follows a well-documented pattern of memory safety issues that fall under CWE-125, which describes "Out-of-Bounds Read" conditions in software systems. When JavaScript code executes within the Foxit PDF Reader environment, it can manipulate ADBC objects in ways that bypass normal memory boundary checks, resulting in memory access violations that reveal previously allocated data. The read past the end of an allocated object creates opportunities for attackers to extract sensitive information such as cryptographic keys, session tokens, or other confidential data that may reside in adjacent memory locations. This type of vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it can be leveraged as a stepping stone for more sophisticated attacks, as indicated by the potential for combining this flaw with other vulnerabilities to achieve arbitrary code execution within the current process context. The vulnerability's classification as a remote information disclosure attack means that threat actors can exploit it without requiring physical access to the target system, making it particularly concerning for enterprise environments where PDF documents are frequently shared and opened.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure to potentially enable full system compromise when combined with additional attack vectors. Attackers can use the information leakage to gather intelligence about the target environment, including system configuration details, application version information, or even credentials stored in memory. The fact that this vulnerability operates within the JavaScript engine of a PDF reader creates a high-risk scenario where a single malicious document can compromise the entire system, especially when users frequently open PDF files from untrusted sources. Security professionals should note that this vulnerability demonstrates the importance of sandboxing and memory protection mechanisms in document processing applications, as the flaw exists in the core handling of user-provided content. The ZDI-CAN-16981 reference indicates that this vulnerability was recognized by the Zero Day Initiative and was likely patched in subsequent versions of Foxit PDF Reader, emphasizing the need for timely security updates in enterprise environments where PDF processing is common.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including restricting access to PDF files from untrusted sources, deploying web application firewalls to filter malicious PDF content, and ensuring all users have the latest security patches installed for Foxit PDF Reader. The vulnerability highlights the necessity of input validation and bounds checking in JavaScript environments, particularly when processing untrusted data from external sources. Security teams should monitor for exploitation attempts targeting this vulnerability and consider implementing network-based intrusion detection systems that can identify suspicious PDF file content patterns. The attack surface for this vulnerability is particularly broad given that PDF readers are commonly used across multiple platforms and applications, making it essential for organizations to maintain comprehensive patch management programs. Additionally, user education about the risks of opening PDF files from unknown sources remains critical, as the requirement for user interaction means social engineering remains an effective attack vector for exploiting this class of vulnerability.