CVE-2022-24954: Foxit PDF Reader and PDF Editor Stack-Based Buffer Overflow Vulnerability Explained

CVE-2022-24954 is a critical stack-based buffer overflow vulnerability affecting Foxit PDF Reader and PDF Editor versions before 11.2.1. The vulnerability exists due to a stack buffer overflow triggered by processing certain XFA substrings in a PDF file. In this post, we will dive into the details of this vulnerability, provide a code snippet showcasing the vulnerability, discuss its potential impact, and offer solutions to mitigate the risk.

Vulnerability Details

Foxit PDF Reader and PDF Editor use XFA (XML Form Architecture) for processing interactive PDF forms. A specific malicious PDF file containing the XFA substrings 'subform colSpan="-2"' and 'draw colSpan="1"' can trigger a stack-based buffer overflow in the affected software, allowing a malicious actor to execute arbitrary code on the target system.

Exploit Details

To exploit CVE-2022-24954, an attacker would need to create a custom-crafted PDF file containing the vulnerable XFA substrings and convince the victim to open this file using a vulnerable version of Foxit PDF Reader or PDF Editor. Once the victim opens the malicious PDF, the stack buffer overflow will be triggered, providing the attacker with the opportunity to execute arbitrary code on the target system.

Below is a simple yet malicious XFA form example showcasing the vulnerability in action

<?xml version="1." encoding="utf-8"?>
<xfa:datasets xmlns:xfa="http://www.xfa.com/xml/xfa";
              xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">;
  <xfa:data>
    <form>
      <subform colSpan= "-2">
        <draw colSpan="1">
          [...Insert malicious code here...]
        </draw>
      </subform>
    </form>
  </xfa:data>
</xfa:datasets>

For more information about this vulnerability, you can refer to the following resources

1. CVE-2022-24954 Official CVE Record: https://cve.mitre.org/cgi-bin/cvename.cgi?name=CVE-2022-24954
2. Foxit Software Security Bulletin: https://www.foxit.com/support/security-bulletins/2022/

To protect your system from this vulnerability, follow these steps

1. Update Foxit PDF Reader to version 11.2.1 or later. Download the latest version from the official Foxit website: https://www.foxit.com/pdf-reader/
2. Update Foxit PDF Editor to version 11.2.1 or later. Download the latest version from the official Foxit website: https://www.foxit.com/pdf-editor/
3. Exercise caution when opening PDF files from unknown sources and avoid downloading files from untrusted websites.

Conclusion

CVE-2022-24954 is a critical stack-based buffer overflow vulnerability affecting Foxit PDF Reader and PDF Editor. Ensuring that you keep your software up-to-date, avoid opening PDF files from unknown sources, and practice safe browsing habits can help you mitigate the risk of falling victim to this and other similar vulnerabilities. Stay safe and secure by updating your software regularly and keeping an eye out for security updates and patches.

Timeline

Published on: 02/11/2022 02:15:00 UTC
Last modified on: 02/17/2022 03:27:00 UTC