Security readout for executives and security teams
Plain-English summary
CVE-2018-9948 affects Foxit Reader 9.0.0.29935. A malicious webpage or document can trigger a flaw that exposes sensitive process information. The source says this can help an attacker combine it with other vulnerabilities to run code as the current user.
Executive priority
Treat this as a high-priority legacy desktop exposure. It requires user interaction, but public exploit references and the possibility of chaining into code execution make unmanaged Foxit Reader installations worth rapid cleanup.
Technical view
The flaw is in Foxit Reader typed-array handling and maps to CWE-824. A pointer is accessed without proper initialization, enabling information disclosure. ZDI identifies it as ZDI-CAN-5380. The bundle does not provide CVSS, a fixed version, or confirmed active exploitation.
Likely exposure
Exposure is likely limited to endpoints still running Foxit Reader 9.0.0.29935 or opening untrusted PDF/web content through that version. Organizations that removed or upgraded this old version are unlikely to be exposed.
Exploitation context
User interaction is required: the victim must visit a malicious page or open a malicious file. Public Exploit-DB references are listed, but the bundle does not show CISA KEV status or confirmed active exploitation.
Researcher notes
The source bundle supports information disclosure in Foxit Reader 9.0.0.29935 through uninitialized pointer use in typed-array handling. It does not include exploit mechanics, CVSS, fixed-version details, or active exploitation evidence. Avoid assuming broader Foxit products or versions are affected.
Mitigation direction
- Inventory endpoints for Foxit Reader 9.0.0.29935.
- Check Foxit's security bulletins for the vendor-approved fixed build or guidance.
- Upgrade or remove affected Foxit Reader installations where found.
- Restrict opening untrusted PDFs and browser-delivered documents on exposed endpoints.
- Prioritize controls for users handling external documents.
Validation and detection
- Confirm installed Foxit Reader versions from endpoint inventory or software management data.
- Review EDR telemetry for Foxit Reader opening suspicious external files or URLs.
- Check whether Foxit security updates are deployed across managed workstations.
- Verify email and web controls inspect or block suspicious PDF delivery.
- Document any remaining affected hosts and compensating controls.
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-824: 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 lookupCVE-2018-9948 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-18-332CVE reference · x_refsource_MISC
- https://www.foxitsoftware.com/support/security-bulletins.phpCVE reference · x_refsource_CONFIRM
- 44941CVE reference · exploit, x_refsource_EXPLOIT-DB
- 45269CVE reference · exploit, x_refsource_EXPLOIT-DB
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.
Access of Uninitialized Pointer
Access of Uninitialized Pointer represents a recurring weakness pattern that can create exploitable paths when design, validation, or implementation controls are missing.