CVE-2018-9981 Explained : Impact and Mitigation
Discover the impact of CVE-2018-9981, a vulnerability in Foxit Reader 9.0.0.29935 allowing remote code execution. Learn about affected systems, exploitation, and mitigation steps.
An exploit has been discovered in Foxit Reader 9.0.0.29935, allowing remote attackers to run unauthorized code by interacting with malicious content through a harmful webpage or corrupted file.
Understanding CVE-2018-9981
What is CVE-2018-9981?
This vulnerability in Foxit Reader 9.0.0.29935 enables attackers to execute code within the current process by exploiting the improper initialization of a pointer during the parsing of U3D files.
The Impact of CVE-2018-9981
The vulnerability allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code on susceptible installations of Foxit Reader 9.0.0.29935, requiring user interaction to exploit the flaw.
Technical Details of CVE-2018-9981
Vulnerability Description
- Type: CWE-824-Access of Uninitialized Pointer
- Identifier: ZDI-CAN-5431
- Exploitation: Attackers can run unauthorized code by leveraging the improper initialization of a pointer in U3D file parsing.
Affected Systems and Versions
- Product: Foxit Reader
- Vendor: Foxit
- Version: 9.0.0.29935
Exploitation Mechanism
- Attack Vector: Remote
- User Interaction: Required
- Attack Type: Code Execution
Mitigation and Prevention
Immediate Steps to Take
- Update Foxit Reader to the latest version to patch the vulnerability.
- Avoid accessing suspicious websites or opening unknown files.
Long-Term Security Practices
- Regularly update software and security patches.
- Educate users on safe browsing habits and file handling.
Patching and Updates
- Stay informed about security bulletins and advisories from Foxit.