CVE-2018-17651 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

A vulnerability in Foxit Reader 9.2.0.9297 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code, requiring user interaction for exploitation.

Understanding CVE-2018-17651

What is CVE-2018-17651?

The vulnerability in Foxit Reader 9.2.0.9297 enables attackers to execute arbitrary code by exploiting a flaw in the handling of the getItemState method of a TimeField.

The Impact of CVE-2018-17651

The vulnerability allows remote attackers to execute code within the current process context by tricking users into visiting malicious pages or opening malicious files.

Technical Details of CVE-2018-17651

Vulnerability Description

The flaw arises from the failure to validate the existence of an object before conducting operations on it, leading to a use-after-free vulnerability.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: Foxit Reader
Vendor: Foxit
Version: 9.2.0.9297

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers exploit the vulnerability by manipulating the getItemState method of a TimeField, executing code in the current process context.

Mitigation and Prevention

Immediate Steps to Take

Update Foxit Reader to the latest version to patch the vulnerability.
Avoid visiting suspicious or untrusted websites.
Exercise caution when opening files from unknown or untrusted sources.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update software and applications to mitigate known vulnerabilities.
Implement security best practices to prevent unauthorized code execution.

Patching and Updates

Stay informed about security bulletins and advisories from Foxit to apply patches promptly.