Security readout for executives and security teams
Plain-English summary
CVE-2018-9938 is a remote code execution flaw in Foxit Reader 9.0.0.29935. A user must open a malicious file or visit a malicious page. If successful, attacker-controlled code could run as that user. Treat legacy Foxit Reader installs as high risk, especially on systems that handle untrusted documents.
Executive priority
Prioritize remediation where Foxit Reader 9.0.0.29935 remains installed. The issue enables code execution, but exploitation requires user interaction and the provided sources do not show active exploitation. This is a legacy endpoint software risk, not a confirmed internet-exposed server emergency.
Technical view
The flaw is in Foxit Reader handling of the absPageSpan method. Inadequate validation of user-supplied data can trigger a CWE-704 type confusion condition, allowing code execution in the current process context. The provided record ties this to ZDI-CAN-5372 and Foxit Reader 9.0.0.29935 only.
Likely exposure
Confirmed exposure is limited to Foxit Reader 9.0.0.29935 in the provided sources. The bundle does not identify other affected Foxit products or versions. Risk is most relevant on endpoints where users open PDFs or web content from external parties.
Exploitation context
The source bundle states remote attackers can exploit the issue, but user interaction is required. The user must visit a malicious page or open a malicious file. KEV is false, and no provided source states active exploitation.
Researcher notes
Focus validation on product/version accuracy. The source bundle provides the vulnerable method, weakness class, required interaction, and execution context, but not CVSS, a named fixed version, or exploitation telemetry. Avoid expanding affected scope beyond Foxit Reader 9.0.0.29935 without vendor evidence.
Mitigation direction
- Inventory endpoints for Foxit Reader 9.0.0.29935.
- Check Foxit security bulletins for the vendor-fixed Reader release.
- Upgrade or remove vulnerable Foxit Reader installations.
- Restrict opening untrusted PDFs or web content in vulnerable Reader until resolved.
- Prioritize endpoints used for email attachments, downloads, or external document review.
Validation and detection
- Confirm installed Foxit Reader versions across managed endpoints.
- Verify whether any host still runs 9.0.0.29935.
- Review software deployment records for Foxit Reader upgrade status.
- Check endpoint controls for handling untrusted PDF files.
- Document any exception where the vulnerable version cannot be removed.
Public sources used
Generated from the cited source records. This long-tail analysis has not been individually reviewed by a named human.
Conservative CVE-to-ATT&CK context
These mappings and lookup hints may be relevant to the vulnerability behavior, CWE, affected product, or exposure path. Glexia-inferred context is not an official MITRE, ATT&CK, CWE, or CVE Program mapping.
ATT&CK lookup starting points
Use these exact CWE pages and searches to review the Glexia ATT&CK library from this CVE's weakness and description context.
CWE-704: Exact CWE lookup
Use the exact CWE identifier as the starting point before reviewing related ATT&CK behavior. Open the exact CWE lookup page first, then review the ATT&CK searches from that MITRE weakness context. This is a Glexia lookup hint, not an official ATT&CK mapping.
Open ATT&CK lookupExecution behavior lookup
The CVE wording references code or command execution, so execution technique review may help defensive triage. This is a Glexia inferred lookup path, not an official MITRE, ATT&CK, or CVE Program mapping.
Open ATT&CK lookupCVE-2018-9938 mapping review
Open the CVE-to-ATT&CK bridge for reviewed, inferred, or future official mappings tied to this CVE.
Open ATT&CK lookup- Severity
- Unknown
- CVSS
- Not scored
- Known Exploited
- No
- Published
CNA and ADP enrichment extracted from CVE v5
These fields come from the CVE record and ADP containers, not from Glexia's Take. They preserve time-varying source decisions such as CISA SSVC, KEV status, CVSS metrics, and provider references.
CVSS and timeline data
No CVSS vectors or timeline events were available in the normalized CVE source material.
Source materials
- CVE List V5 sourceCVE List V5
- https://zerodayinitiative.com/advisories/ZDI-18-322CVE reference · x_refsource_MISC
- https://www.foxitsoftware.com/support/security-bulletins.phpCVE reference · x_refsource_CONFIRM
Products and packages named in the record
CWE details
CWE links open Glexia weakness intelligence pages with official CWE context, developer remediation guidance, and related CVE mappings.
Incorrect Type Conversion or Cast
Incorrect Type Conversion or Cast represents a recurring weakness pattern that can create exploitable paths when design, validation, or implementation controls are missing.