CVE-2018-10491 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

A security weakness in Foxit Reader 9.0.0.29935 allows unauthorized individuals to execute arbitrary code through compromised webpages or malicious files.

Understanding CVE-2018-10491

What is CVE-2018-10491?

The vulnerability in Foxit Reader 9.0.0.29935 enables attackers to run arbitrary code by exploiting insufficient validation of user-supplied data while parsing U3D Bone Weight Modifier structures.

The Impact of CVE-2018-10491

This vulnerability allows remote attackers to execute code within the current process of vulnerable Foxit Reader installations.

Technical Details of CVE-2018-10491

Vulnerability Description

The flaw arises from inadequate validation of user-supplied data, leading to writing beyond the allocated structure, which can be exploited to execute arbitrary code.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: Foxit Reader
Vendor: Foxit
Version: 9.0.0.29935

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers can exploit the vulnerability by tricking users into visiting compromised webpages or opening malicious files.

Mitigation and Prevention

Immediate Steps to Take

Update Foxit Reader to the latest version.
Avoid visiting suspicious websites or opening files from unknown sources.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update software and security patches.
Implement robust cybersecurity measures to prevent unauthorized access.

Patching and Updates

Foxit has released patches to address this vulnerability.