Foxit Reader 9.0.1.1049 Text Annotation use after free

CVSS Meta Temp Score
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Current Exploit Price (≈)
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CTI Interest Score
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7.5$0-$5k0.00

Summaryinfo

A vulnerability categorized as critical has been discovered in Foxit Reader 9.0.1.1049. The impacted element is an unknown function of the component Text Annotation Handler. Executing a manipulation can lead to use after free. This vulnerability is handled as CVE-2018-9958. The attack can be executed remotely. Additionally, an exploit exists.

Detailsinfo

A vulnerability was found in Foxit Reader 9.0.1.1049 (Document Reader Software). It has been declared as critical. This vulnerability affects an unknown functionality of the component Text Annotation Handler. The manipulation with an unknown input leads to a use after free vulnerability. The CWE definition for the vulnerability is CWE-416. Referencing memory after it has been freed can cause a program to crash, use unexpected values, or execute code. As an impact it is known to affect confidentiality, integrity, and availability. CVE summarizes:

This vulnerability allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code on vulnerable installations of Foxit Reader 9.0.1.1049. 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 Text Annotations. When setting the point attribute, the process does not properly validate the existence of an object prior to performing operations on the object. An attacker can leverage this vulnerability to execute code under the context of the current process. Was ZDI-CAN-5620.

The bug was discovered 04/20/2018. The weakness was released 05/17/2018 as confirmed security bulletin (Website). The advisory is shared for download at foxitsoftware.com. This vulnerability was named CVE-2018-9958 since 04/10/2018. The attack can be initiated remotely. No form of authentication is required for a successful exploitation. Successful exploitation requires user interaction by the victim. Technical details are unknown but a public exploit is available.

It is possible to download the exploit at exploit-db.com. It is declared as highly functional. The vulnerability was handled as a non-public zero-day exploit for at least 27 days. During that time the estimated underground price was around $0-$5k. The commercial vulnerability scanner Qualys is able to test this issue with plugin 370903 (Foxit Reader Multiple Vulnerabilities).

There is no information about possible countermeasures known. It may be suggested to replace the affected object with an alternative product.

The vulnerability is also documented in the vulnerability database at Exploit-DB (44941). Entries connected to this vulnerability are available at VDB-82783, VDB-82784, VDB-82785 and VDB-82786. Once again VulDB remains the best source for vulnerability data.

Productinfo

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CPE 2.3info

CPE 2.2info

CVSSv4info

VulDB Vector: 🔍
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

CVSSv3info

VulDB Meta Base Score: 7.6
VulDB Meta Temp Score: 7.6

VulDB Base Score: 6.3
VulDB Temp Score: 6.3
VulDB Vector: 🔍
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

NVD Base Score: 8.8
NVD Vector: 🔍

CVSSv2info

AVACAuCIA
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VectorComplexityAuthenticationConfidentialityIntegrityAvailability
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VulDB Base Score: 🔍
VulDB Temp Score: 🔍
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

NVD Base Score: 🔍

Exploitinginfo

Class: Use after free
CWE: CWE-416 / CWE-119
CAPEC: 🔍
ATT&CK: 🔍

Physical: No
Local: No
Remote: Yes

Availability: 🔍
Access: Public
Status: Highly functional
Download: 🔍

EPSS Score: 🔍
EPSS Percentile: 🔍

Price Prediction: 🔍
Current Price Estimation: 🔍

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OpenVAS ID: 861522
OpenVAS Name: Foxit Reader Multiple Vulnerabilities-Apr18 (Windows)
OpenVAS File: 🔍
OpenVAS Family: 🔍

Qualys ID: 🔍
Qualys Name: 🔍

MetaSploit ID: foxit_reader_uaf.rb
MetaSploit Name: MS13-071 Microsoft Windows Theme File Handling Arbitrary Code Execution
MetaSploit File: 🔍

Exploit-DB: 🔍

Threat Intelligenceinfo

Interest: 🔍
Active Actors: 🔍
Active APT Groups: 🔍

Countermeasuresinfo

Recommended: no mitigation known
Status: 🔍

0-Day Time: 🔍

Timelineinfo

04/10/2018 🔍
04/20/2018 +10 days 🔍
05/17/2018 +26 days 🔍
05/17/2018 +0 days 🔍
05/17/2018 +0 days 🔍
09/29/2025 +2692 days 🔍

Sourcesinfo

Vendor: foxitsoftware.com

Advisory: 160240
Status: Confirmed
Confirmation: 🔍

CVE: CVE-2018-9958 (🔍)
GCVE (CVE): GCVE-0-2018-9958
GCVE (VulDB): GCVE-100-117916
scip Labs: https://www.scip.ch/en/?labs.20161013
See also: 🔍

Entryinfo

Created: 05/17/2018 22:23
Updated: 09/29/2025 12:50
Changes: 05/17/2018 22:23 (68), 02/06/2020 19:11 (6), 03/14/2023 08:20 (3), 09/29/2025 12:50 (14)
Complete: 🔍
Cache ID: 216::103

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