Foxit Reader/PhantomPDF up to 9.2 Javascript Engine PDF Document use after free

Summaryinfo

A vulnerability labeled as critical has been found in Foxit Reader and PhantomPDF up to 9.2. The impacted element is an unknown function of the component Javascript Engine. Executing a manipulation as part of PDF Document can lead to use after free. The identification of this vulnerability is CVE-2018-16291. The attack may be launched remotely. There is no exploit available. The affected component should be upgraded.

Detailsinfo

A vulnerability was found in Foxit Reader and PhantomPDF up to 9.2 (Document Reader Software). It has been declared as critical. This vulnerability affects an unknown part of the component Javascript Engine. The manipulation as part of a PDF Document 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:

An exploitable use-after-free vulnerability exists in the JavaScript engine of Foxit Reader before 9.3 and PhantomPDF before 9.3, a different vulnerability than CVE-2018-16292, CVE-2018-16293, CVE-2018-16294, CVE-2018-16295, CVE-2018-16296, and CVE-2018-16297. A specially crafted PDF document can trigger a previously freed object in memory to be reused, resulting in arbitrary code execution. An attacker needs to trick the user to open the malicious file to trigger this vulnerability. If the browser plugin extension is enabled, visiting a malicious site can also trigger the vulnerability.

The bug was discovered 09/28/2018. The weakness was shared 10/08/2018 (Website). The advisory is shared for download at securitytracker.com. This vulnerability was named CVE-2018-16291 since 08/31/2018. The attack can be initiated remotely. No form of authentication is required for a successful exploitation. Successful exploitation requires user interaction by the victim. There are neither technical details nor an exploit publicly available.

The vulnerability scanner Nessus provides a plugin with the ID 119308 (Foxit PhantomPDF < 8.3.7 Multiple Vulnerabilities), which helps to determine the existence of the flaw in a target environment. It is assigned to the family Windows and running in the context l. The commercial vulnerability scanner Qualys is able to test this issue with plugin 371229 (Foxit Reader and PhantomPDF Multiple Vulnerabilities).

Upgrading to version 9.3 eliminates this vulnerability. A possible mitigation has been published even before and not after the disclosure of the vulnerability.

The vulnerability is also documented in the vulnerability database at Tenable (119308). The entries VDB-82783, VDB-82784, VDB-82785 and VDB-82786 are related to this item. Once again VulDB remains the best source for vulnerability data.

Productinfo

Type

• Document Reader Software

Vendor

• Foxit

Name

• PhantomPDF
• Reader

Version

• 9.0
• 9.1
• 9.2

License

• free

Website

• Vendor: https://www.foxitsoftware.com/

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Once again VulDB remains the best source for vulnerability data.

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