CVE-2024-9244
📋 TL;DR
This vulnerability in Foxit PDF Reader's Update Service allows local attackers to escalate privileges from a low-privileged user to SYSTEM by exploiting incorrect permissions on configuration files. It affects users with Foxit PDF Reader installed on Windows systems where the Update Service is running. Attackers must first gain local code execution to exploit this flaw.
💻 Affected Systems
- Foxit PDF Reader
📦 What is this software?
⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
An attacker gains full SYSTEM-level control over the system, enabling installation of malware, data theft, or persistence mechanisms.
Likely Case
Local privilege escalation leading to unauthorized access to sensitive files or system resources, often used in multi-stage attacks.
If Mitigated
Limited impact if proper access controls and least privilege principles are enforced, reducing the attack surface.
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploitation requires local access and ability to execute low-privileged code; complexity is low due to misconfigured permissions.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: Check Foxit security bulletin for specific patched versions.
Vendor Advisory: https://www.foxit.com/support/security-bulletins.html
Restart Required: Yes
Instructions:
1. Visit Foxit's security bulletins page. 2. Download and install the latest update for Foxit PDF Reader. 3. Restart the system to ensure changes take effect.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Disable Foxit Reader Update Service
windowsStop and disable the update service to prevent exploitation, though this may impact automatic updates.
sc stop FoxitReaderUpdateService
sc config FoxitReaderUpdateService start= disabled
Adjust File Permissions
windowsManually set stricter permissions on the configuration files used by the service to deny write access to low-privileged users.
icacls "C:\Path\To\Foxit\Config\Files" /deny Users:(W)
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Implement strict access controls and least privilege principles to limit local user capabilities.
- Monitor for suspicious activity related to Foxit Reader Update Service and configuration file modifications.
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check if Foxit PDF Reader is installed and the Update Service is running; review file permissions on its configuration directory.Check Version:
Open Foxit PDF Reader, go to Help > About, or check in Windows Programs and Features.Verify Fix Applied:
Verify the installed Foxit PDF Reader version matches or exceeds the patched version listed in the vendor advisory.📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Unusual modifications to Foxit Reader configuration files in Windows event logs.
- Service control events for FoxitReaderUpdateService.
Network Indicators:
- No network indicators as this is a local privilege escalation.
SIEM Query:
EventID=4663 OR EventID=4656 AND ObjectName LIKE '%Foxit%' AND AccessMask IN ('WriteData', 'AppendData')