Vulnerabilities > CVE-2017-10952 - Improper Input Validation vulnerability in Foxitsoftware Foxit Reader 8.2.0.2051

047910
CVSS 8.8 - HIGH
Attack vector
NETWORK
Attack complexity
LOW
Privileges required
NONE
Confidentiality impact
HIGH
Integrity impact
HIGH
Availability impact
HIGH
network
low complexity
foxitsoftware
CWE-20
nessus
NVD
Published: 2017-08-29
Updated: 2024-11-21

Summary

This vulnerability allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code on vulnerable installations of Foxit Reader 8.2.0.2051. 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 saveAs JavaScript function. The issue results from the lack of proper validation of user-supplied data, which can lead to writing arbitrary files into attacker controlled locations. An attacker can leverage this vulnerability to execute code under the context of the current process. Was ZDI-CAN-4518.

Vulnerable Configurations

Part Description Count
Application
Foxitsoftware
1

Common Weakness Enumeration (CWE)

Common Attack Pattern Enumeration and Classification (CAPEC)

  • Buffer Overflow via Environment Variables
    This attack pattern involves causing a buffer overflow through manipulation of environment variables. Once the attacker finds that they can modify an environment variable, they may try to overflow associated buffers. This attack leverages implicit trust often placed in environment variables.
  • Server Side Include (SSI) Injection
    An attacker can use Server Side Include (SSI) Injection to send code to a web application that then gets executed by the web server. Doing so enables the attacker to achieve similar results to Cross Site Scripting, viz., arbitrary code execution and information disclosure, albeit on a more limited scale, since the SSI directives are nowhere near as powerful as a full-fledged scripting language. Nonetheless, the attacker can conveniently gain access to sensitive files, such as password files, and execute shell commands.
  • Cross Zone Scripting
    An attacker is able to cause a victim to load content into their web-browser that bypasses security zone controls and gain access to increased privileges to execute scripting code or other web objects such as unsigned ActiveX controls or applets. This is a privilege elevation attack targeted at zone-based web-browser security. In a zone-based model, pages belong to one of a set of zones corresponding to the level of privilege assigned to that page. Pages in an untrusted zone would have a lesser level of access to the system and/or be restricted in the types of executable content it was allowed to invoke. In a cross-zone scripting attack, a page that should be assigned to a less privileged zone is granted the privileges of a more trusted zone. This can be accomplished by exploiting bugs in the browser, exploiting incorrect configuration in the zone controls, through a cross-site scripting attack that causes the attackers' content to be treated as coming from a more trusted page, or by leveraging some piece of system functionality that is accessible from both the trusted and less trusted zone. This attack differs from "Restful Privilege Escalation" in that the latter correlates to the inadequate securing of RESTful access methods (such as HTTP DELETE) on the server, while cross-zone scripting attacks the concept of security zones as implemented by a browser.
  • Cross Site Scripting through Log Files
    An attacker may leverage a system weakness where logs are susceptible to log injection to insert scripts into the system's logs. If these logs are later viewed by an administrator through a thin administrative interface and the log data is not properly HTML encoded before being written to the page, the attackers' scripts stored in the log will be executed in the administrative interface with potentially serious consequences. This attack pattern is really a combination of two other attack patterns: log injection and stored cross site scripting.
  • Command Line Execution through SQL Injection
    An attacker uses standard SQL injection methods to inject data into the command line for execution. This could be done directly through misuse of directives such as MSSQL_xp_cmdshell or indirectly through injection of data into the database that would be interpreted as shell commands. Sometime later, an unscrupulous backend application (or could be part of the functionality of the same application) fetches the injected data stored in the database and uses this data as command line arguments without performing proper validation. The malicious data escapes that data plane by spawning new commands to be executed on the host.

Nessus

  • NASL familyWindows
    NASL idFOXIT_PHANTOM_8_3_2.NASL
    descriptionAccording to its version, the Foxit PhantomPDF application (formally known as Phantom) installed on the remote Windows host is prior to 8.3.2. It is, therefore, affected by multiple vulnerabilities: - A flaw exists in the app.launchURL() method allowing a context-dependent attacker to potentially execute arbitrary code. (CVE-2017-10951) - A flaw in the saveAs() JavaScript function that allows a context-dependent attacker to write to arbitrary files and potentially execute arbitrary code. (CVE-2017-10952) - A flaw that is triggered during the handling of the createDataObject() function calls that may allow an attacker to create arbitrary executable files on the local system. - A flaw exists that is triggered during the handling of xfa.host.gotoURL() function calls that may allow an attacker to execute arbitrary commands.
    last seen2020-04-30
    modified2017-08-31
    plugin id102858
    published2017-08-31
    reporterThis script is Copyright (C) 2017-2020 and is owned by Tenable, Inc. or an Affiliate thereof.
    sourcehttps://www.tenable.com/plugins/nessus/102858
    titleFoxit PhantomPDF < 8.3.2 Multiple Vulnerabilities
    code
    #
# (C) Tenable Network Security, Inc.
#

include("compat.inc");

if (description)
{
  script_id(102858);
  script_version("1.9");
  script_set_attribute(attribute:"plugin_modification_date", value:"2020/04/27");

  script_cve_id(
    "CVE-2017-10951",
    "CVE-2017-10952"
  );
  script_bugtraq_id(
    100409,
    100412
  );
  script_xref(name:"ZDI", value:"ZDI-17-691");
  script_xref(name:"ZDI", value:"ZDI-17-692");

  script_name(english:"Foxit PhantomPDF < 8.3.2 Multiple Vulnerabilities");
  script_summary(english:"Checks the version of Foxit PhantomPDF.");

  script_set_attribute(attribute:"synopsis", value:
"A PDF toolkit installed on the remote Windows host is affected by
multiple vulnerabilities.");
  script_set_attribute(attribute:"description",  value:
"According to its version, the Foxit PhantomPDF application (formally
known as Phantom) installed on the remote Windows host is prior to
8.3.2. It is, therefore, affected by multiple vulnerabilities:

  - A flaw exists in the app.launchURL() method allowing
    a context-dependent attacker to potentially execute
    arbitrary code. (CVE-2017-10951)

  - A flaw in the saveAs() JavaScript function that allows
    a context-dependent attacker to write to arbitrary
    files and potentially execute arbitrary code.
    (CVE-2017-10952)

  - A flaw that is triggered during the handling of the
    createDataObject() function calls that may allow an
    attacker to create arbitrary executable files on the
    local system. 

  - A flaw exists that is triggered during the handling of
    xfa.host.gotoURL() function calls that may allow an
    attacker to execute arbitrary commands.");
  script_set_attribute(attribute:"see_also", value:"https://www.foxitsoftware.com/support/security-bulletins.php");
  script_set_attribute(attribute:"see_also", value:"https://www.zerodayinitiative.com/advisories/ZDI-17-691/");
  script_set_attribute(attribute:"see_also", value:"https://www.zerodayinitiative.com/advisories/ZDI-17-692/");
  script_set_attribute(attribute:"solution", value:
"Upgrade to Foxit PhantomPDF version 8.3.2 or later.");
  script_set_cvss_base_vector("CVSS2#AV:N/AC:M/Au:N/C:P/I:P/A:P");
  script_set_cvss_temporal_vector("CVSS2#E:H/RL:OF/RC:C");
  script_set_cvss3_base_vector("CVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:L/I:L/A:L");
  script_set_cvss3_temporal_vector("CVSS:3.0/E:H/RL:O/RC:C");
  script_set_attribute(attribute:"cvss_score_source", value:"CVE-2017-10951");
  script_set_attribute(attribute:"exploitability_ease", value:"Exploits are available");
  script_set_attribute(attribute:"exploit_available", value:"true");
  script_set_attribute(attribute:"exploited_by_malware", value:"true");

  script_set_attribute(attribute:"vuln_publication_date", value:"2017/08/17");
  script_set_attribute(attribute:"patch_publication_date", value:"2017/08/26");
  script_set_attribute(attribute:"plugin_publication_date", value:"2017/08/31");

  script_set_attribute(attribute:"plugin_type", value:"local");
  script_set_attribute(attribute:"cpe", value:"cpe:/a:foxitsoftware:phantom");
  script_set_attribute(attribute:"cpe", value:"cpe:/a:foxitsoftware:phantompdf");
  script_end_attributes();

  script_category(ACT_GATHER_INFO);
  script_family(english:"Windows");

  script_copyright(english:"This script is Copyright (C) 2017-2020 and is owned by Tenable, Inc. or an Affiliate thereof.");

  script_dependencies("foxit_phantom_installed.nasl");
  script_require_keys("installed_sw/FoxitPhantomPDF");

  exit(0);
}

include('vcf.inc');

app = 'FoxitPhantomPDF';

app_info = vcf::get_app_info(app:app, win_local:TRUE);

constraints = [{
  'min_version' : '8.0',
  'max_version' : '8.3.1.21155',
  'fixed_version' : '8.3.2'
  }];

vcf::check_version_and_report(app_info:app_info, constraints:constraints, severity:SECURITY_WARNING);
  • NASL familyWindows
    NASL idFOXIT_READER_8_3_2.NASL
    descriptionThe version of Foxit Reader installed on the remote Windows host is prior to 8.3.2. It is, therefore, affected by multiple vulnerabilities: - A flaw exists in the app.launchURL() method allowing a context-dependent attacker to potentially execute arbitrary code. (CVE-2017-10951) - A flaw in the saveAs() JavaScript function that allows a context-dependent attacker to write to arbitrary files and potentially execute arbitrary code. (CVE-2017-10952) - A flaw that is triggered during the handling of the createDataObject() function calls that may allow an attacker to create arbitrary executable files on the local system. - A flaw exists that is triggered during the handling of xfa.host.gotoURL() function calls that may allow an attacker to execute arbitrary commands.
    last seen2020-06-01
    modified2020-06-02
    plugin id102859
    published2017-08-31
    reporterThis script is Copyright (C) 2017-2019 and is owned by Tenable, Inc. or an Affiliate thereof.
    sourcehttps://www.tenable.com/plugins/nessus/102859
    titleFoxit Reader < 8.3.2 Multiple Vulnerabilities
    code
    #
# (C) Tenable Network Security, Inc.
#

include("compat.inc");

if (description)
{
  script_id(102859);
  script_version("1.9");
  script_cvs_date("Date: 2019/01/30 12:11:05");

  script_cve_id(
    "CVE-2017-10951",
    "CVE-2017-10952"
  );
  script_bugtraq_id(
    100409,
    100412
  );
  script_xref(name:"ZDI", value:"ZDI-17-691");
  script_xref(name:"ZDI", value:"ZDI-17-692");

  script_name(english:"Foxit Reader < 8.3.2 Multiple Vulnerabilities");
  script_summary(english:"Checks the version of Foxit Reader.");

  script_set_attribute(attribute:"synopsis", value:
"A PDF viewer installed on the remote Windows host is affected by
multiple vulnerabilities.");
  script_set_attribute(attribute:"description",  value:
"The version of Foxit Reader installed on the remote Windows host is
prior to 8.3.2. It is, therefore, affected by multiple
vulnerabilities:

  - A flaw exists in the app.launchURL() method allowing
    a context-dependent attacker to potentially execute
    arbitrary code. (CVE-2017-10951)

  - A flaw in the saveAs() JavaScript function that allows
    a context-dependent attacker to write to arbitrary
    files and potentially execute arbitrary code.
    (CVE-2017-10952)

  - A flaw that is triggered during the handling of the
    createDataObject() function calls that may allow an
    attacker to create arbitrary executable files on the
    local system.

  - A flaw exists that is triggered during the handling of
    xfa.host.gotoURL() function calls that may allow an
    attacker to execute arbitrary commands.");
  script_set_attribute(attribute:"see_also", value:"https://www.foxitsoftware.com/support/security-bulletins.php");
  script_set_attribute(attribute:"see_also", value:"https://www.zerodayinitiative.com/advisories/ZDI-17-691/");
  script_set_attribute(attribute:"see_also", value:"https://www.zerodayinitiative.com/advisories/ZDI-17-692/");
  script_set_attribute(attribute:"solution", value:
"Upgrade to Foxit Reader version 8.3.2 or later.");
  script_set_cvss_base_vector("CVSS2#AV:N/AC:M/Au:N/C:P/I:P/A:P");
  script_set_cvss_temporal_vector("CVSS2#E:H/RL:OF/RC:C");
  script_set_cvss3_base_vector("CVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H");
  script_set_cvss3_temporal_vector("CVSS:3.0/E:H/RL:O/RC:C");
  script_set_attribute(attribute:"cvss_score_source", value:"CVE-2017-10951");

  script_set_attribute(attribute:"exploitability_ease", value:"Exploits are available");
  script_set_attribute(attribute:"exploit_available", value:"true");
  script_set_attribute(attribute:"exploited_by_malware", value:"true");

  script_set_attribute(attribute:"vuln_publication_date", value:"2017/08/17");
  script_set_attribute(attribute:"patch_publication_date", value:"2017/08/26");
  script_set_attribute(attribute:"plugin_publication_date", value:"2017/08/31");

  script_set_attribute(attribute:"plugin_type", value:"local");
  script_set_attribute(attribute:"cpe", value:"cpe:/a:foxitsoftware:foxit_reader");
  script_end_attributes();

  script_category(ACT_GATHER_INFO);
  script_family(english:"Windows");

  script_copyright(english:"This script is Copyright (C) 2017-2019 and is owned by Tenable, Inc. or an Affiliate thereof.");

  script_dependencies("foxit_reader_installed.nasl");
  script_require_keys("installed_sw/Foxit Reader");

  exit(0);
}

include('vcf.inc');

app = 'Foxit Reader';

app_info = vcf::get_app_info(app:app, win_local:TRUE);

constraints = [{
  'min_version' : '8.0',
  'max_version' : '8.3.1.21155',
  'fixed_version' : '8.3.2'
  }];

vcf::check_version_and_report(app_info:app_info, constraints:constraints, severity:SECURITY_WARNING);

Seebug

bulletinFamilyexploit
description### A tale about Foxit Reader - Safe Reading mode and other vulnerabilities Some days ago someone send me the following link, which describes two vulnerabilities in Foxit Reader: http://thehackernews.com/2017/08/two-critical-zero-day-flaws-disclosed.html These two vulnerabilities are similar to the behavior of Foxit Reader I presented at Appsec Belfast 2017. Unfortunately the recording was never published, so I decided it's time for a blog post to give some additional information about these vulnerabilities. First I have to describe the implemented security model in Foxit Reader. #### Safe-Reading mode Foxit Reader implements a one-line defense, the so-called "Safe-Reading mode". It is enabled by default. In case it is enabled it prohibits the execution of scripts and other features, which can harm the security of the end user. During my presentation I said, that this feature should never ever be disabled. In case a vulnerability requires a disabled "Safe-Reading mode", Foxit will mostly not patch it. This is true for the two "vulnerabilities" described in the link above. ##### Note: Apparently Foxit decided to provide a patch for the two vulnerabilities mentioned in the hackernews blog post. https://www.zerodayinitiative.com/blog/2017/8/17/busting-myths-in-foxit-reader Short quote extracted from the Foxit statement: "Foxit Software is deeply committed to delivering secure PDF products to its customers. Our track record is strong in responding quickly in fixing vulnerabilities [...]" So lets continue talking about my similar findings, one of which is still unfixed. #### Execute local file * Reported: 5.5.2017 to Foxit Security team * Security bulletin released: 4.7.2017 https://www.foxitsoftware.com/de/support/security-bulletins.php * Function call: xfa.host.gotoURL * Reality: Still Unfixed. Not protected by Safe-Reading mode! * Tested Foxit version: 8.3.1.21155 CVE-2017-10951 is abusing the app.launchURL JavaScript call to execute a local program, without any user interaction. I am using another function with a similar functionality called xfa.host.gotoURL. By reading the specification it can be seen that normally these functions accept a URL, which is opened in a new browser window. So far so simple. I assume CVE-2017-10951 used the same URL I did to execute a local program (I am not 100% sure as no exact details are public). Instead of passing a http/https URL to xfa.host.gotoURL I used the file:/// protocol handler. To execute cmd.exe. The following file:/// URL is enough: ``` xfa.host.gotoURL("file:///c:/windows/system32/cmd.exe"); ``` One difference between app.launchURL and xfa.host.gotoURL is this one: xfa.host.gotoURL is not protected by the safe reading mode or as I described in my email to the Foxit security team: The XFA standard defines the xfa.host.gotoURL function call, which should load an URL. I discovered that this function is not protected by the Trust Manager, nor does it check the specified protocol. The following example will open "cmd.exe" without any user interaction: ``` xfa.host.gotoURL("file:///C:/windows/system32/cmd.exe"); ``` I have no idea why Foxit did not patch my vulnerability but hopefully they do now! Note: This is not a full "Safe Reading Mode" bypass. This only works for this exact function call! Have fun with the PoC (it opens cmd.exe and calc.exe. When you close the PDF it will open explorer.exe): https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B2HQuxIrwJ53a1hNS2pSYTZzdU0 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CWu4OHwtzm8 #### File execution - limitations: 1) It is not possible to pass parameters to the executed program. Maybe it is possible via app.launchURL but the text/video does not contain any hint that this is the case. 2) When the file:/// protocol handler is pointing to an executable, which is stored on a SMB share, the Windows operating system will trigger a warning box asking the user for confirmation to execute the program. 3) In case the handler is pointing to a currently downloaded file (most likely via the web browser), Windows will once again ask the user for confirmation before the program is executed. Downloaded files contain a so-called "Zone Identifier". This identifier contains information about the source of the executable. In case a file is downloaded from a website like example.com, it will contain a Zone Identifier of 3. A ZI of 3 always triggers a warning dialog before the file is executed (note: there are some exceptions to this rule). I am aware of one possible way to bypass these restrictions but this will require another blog post ;) Drop a file to the local file system I reported my finding in 2016 via ZDI in combination with the safe-reading mode bypass: http://www.zerodayinitiative.com/advisories/ZDI-16-396/ Reality: Patched in combination with the Safe-Reading mode bypass in 2016. It is still working with disabled Safe-Reading mode (as intended I assume) Lets move on the next vulnerability described in the link above. Once again I used a different function call with the same functionality. I think you can see a pattern ^^. CVE-2017-10592 is using the this.saveAs function call to drop a file to the local file system. I always used the xfa.host.exportData function to achieve the same functionality. Both function accept a device independent path (the PDF way to define a local path, independent of the operating system) to store a file. As the file path is completely user controlled, the file extension can be chosen freely. In case of the saveAs function, the stored PDF file itself can be converted to other file types although I do not know if Foxit Reader actually supports this functionality. The xfa.host.exportData function call exports a XML structure. As it is either really difficult or even impossible to drop a valid executable (as the attacker has no full control of the content of the file), the easiest way to exploit this kind of vulnerability on the Windows operating system is dropping a HTML application (.hta). A HTML application behaves like a normal HTML file (eg. any characters, which are no valid HTML elements are happily ignored) but it has access to powerful JavaScript API calls, which allow to execute programs with parameters, local file access and more. All the attacker has to do is embedding a valid script tag inside the PDF structure and ensure that is stored in the created HTA file. By dropping this kind of file into the startup folder, the attacker just has to wait for the victim to restart his PC. In case the attacker does not want to wait for a restart, he can drop his malicious HTA file and use the before mentioned functionality to immediately execute it (the dropped file does not have a Zone Identifier). Proof-of-Concept (the PoC stores no real payload in the dropped file): 1. Open the PoC in Foxit Reader 2. Disable Safe Reading mode 3. Restart Foxit Reader 4. Open the PDF 5. Close it. A file called evilHTA.hta will be dropped on the desktop. PoC: https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B2HQuxIrwJ53cGxPUndCdWY3T28 In case you are wondering why the onclose event is used, I can tell you a near null exception crashes Foxit Reader. So this was a short introduction about Foxit Reader and why you should never disable the Safe Reading mode. But wait... is there a way to bypass the "Safe-Reading mode"? The following bypass is fixed but maybe it inspires someone to search for new bypasses :) #### [+] Fixed: Safe-Reading mode bypass When I started to play with Foxit Reader I did not read anything about the implemented security and instead just jumped right into it. I used different functions, which I know could introduce security problems until I tried xfa.host.exportData. Suddenly my file was dropped without any user interaction. My first reaction was: "WTF? This can't be real. There should be some security protection in place." So I started to research and discovered: I bypassed the safe-reading mode without even realizing it ^^ Basically what I used while researching was XFA. XFA is a XML structure defined in the PDF standard, which defines everything related to forms in PDF. It allows to define buttons, text boxes and more. Additionally, similar to HTML, you can react to events triggered for each element and the document itself. This allows you to specify JavaScript, which is executed as soon as the event is fired. A simplified example to understand the concept is provided by corkami: https://raw.githubusercontent.com/corkami/pocs/master/pdf/formevent_js.pdf In my case I reacted to the "initialized" event for my created button element. As you can possible guess, this event is fired every time the element is initialized and therefore it fires really early during the parsing of the PDF structure. And this was all needed to bypass the "Safe-Reading" mode. Apparently the event fired so early that the mode was not initialized or they forgot to apply it for this event too.
idSSV:96369
last seen2017-11-19
modified2017-08-22
published2017-08-22
reporterRoot
titleFoxit Reader command injection(CVE-2017-10951)and file writing Vulnerability(CVE-2017-10952)

The Hacker News

idTHN:CBCEED8BA05EE4923A1A19AB316C5227
last seen2018-01-27
modified2017-08-21
published2017-08-17
reporterWang Wei
sourcehttps://thehackernews.com/2017/08/two-critical-zero-day-flaws-disclosed.html
titleTwo Critical Zero-Day Flaws Disclosed in Foxit PDF Reader

Related news

References