Security readout for executives and security teams
Plain-English summary
CVE-2018-9942 is a Foxit Reader flaw that can let an attacker run code if a user opens a malicious file or visits a malicious page. The known affected version is Foxit Reader 9.0.0.29935. The sources do not provide CVSS scoring or confirm active exploitation.
Executive priority
Prioritize this for legacy desktop risk reduction. It is not a server-side internet exposure based on the provided sources, but successful exploitation could execute code under the user’s Foxit Reader process.
Technical view
The flaw is a CWE-704 type confusion issue in Foxit Reader’s handling of the record remove method. Improper validation of user-supplied data can allow arbitrary code execution in the current process context. ZDI tracks it as ZDI-CAN-5376 and ZDI-18-326.
Likely exposure
Exposure is most likely on endpoints still running Foxit Reader 9.0.0.29935, especially where users handle external PDFs or web content. The bundle does not identify other affected versions or products.
Exploitation context
The cited description requires user interaction: opening a malicious file or visiting a malicious page. The CVE is not marked KEV, and the provided sources do not state active exploitation in the wild.
Researcher notes
Evidence is limited but consistent: ZDI and CVE describe a type confusion vulnerability enabling remote code execution with user interaction. No CVSS vector, exploit-in-the-wild evidence, or explicit fixed version is included in the provided bundle.
Mitigation direction
- Inventory Foxit Reader installations and identify version 9.0.0.29935.
- Check Foxit security bulletins for the vendor-approved fixed release or mitigation.
- Prioritize removing or updating affected legacy installations per Foxit guidance.
- Limit handling of untrusted PDFs and links on affected endpoints until remediated.
Validation and detection
- Confirm whether Foxit Reader 9.0.0.29935 exists in endpoint software inventory.
- Review asset exposure for users likely to open external PDFs or web links.
- Check Foxit’s security bulletin page for the applicable remediation details.
- Verify remediation by confirming affected hosts no longer run the vulnerable version.
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
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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-2018-9942 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-18-326CVE 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.