^{CVE-2021-27262:}Out-of-bounds read vulnerability in Foxit PhantomPDF 10.1.0.37527 when handling U3D objects in PDF files, allowing sensitive information disclosure.

Overview

The vulnerability affects Foxit PhantomPDF 10.1.0.37527, a widely used PDF reader and editor. The issue stems from improper validation of user-supplied data when processing U3D objects embedded in PDF files. U3D is a compressed file format standard for 3D computer graphics data that can be embedded in PDF documents. When a malicious PDF file containing specially crafted U3D objects is opened, the application reads beyond the bounds of an allocated memory buffer, potentially exposing sensitive information such as memory contents, application data, or system information. This vulnerability requires user interaction, as the target must open a malicious PDF file or visit a webpage that serves such content. While this vulnerability alone leads to information disclosure, attackers could potentially combine it with other vulnerabilities to achieve code execution.

Remediation

1. Update to the latest version of Foxit PhantomPDF that contains patches for this vulnerability. Foxit Software has released security updates to address this issue.
2. If immediate updating is not possible, implement the following mitigations:
   • Exercise caution when opening PDF files from untrusted sources
   • Disable the processing of 3D content in PDF files if this feature is not required
   • Consider using alternative PDF readers until the vulnerable software can be updated
   • Implement network monitoring to detect potential exploitation attempts
3. Organizations should review their security policies regarding the handling of PDF documents and consider implementing content filtering for incoming PDF files.
4. Enable Protected View mode if available, which runs the PDF viewer in a restricted environment to limit potential damage from exploits.

References

1. Foxit Software Security Bulletins: https://www.foxitsoftware.com/support/security-bulletins.php
2. Zero Day Initiative Advisory ZDI-21-344: https://www.zerodayinitiative.com/advisories/ZDI-21-344/
3. Common Weakness Enumeration: CWE-125 (Out-of-bounds Read): https://cwe.mitre.org/data/definitions/125.html
4. Original vulnerability report identified as ZDI-CAN-12270