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CVE-2018-17616: Foxit Reader may run malicious code via crafted file or page

CVE-2018-17616 · published 8 years ago

Summary

Foxit Reader version 9.0.1.5096 can be tricked into executing unwanted code if a user opens a specially crafted PDF or visits a malicious web page. The problem is caused by the program not checking an object before acting on it, allowing attackers to run code with the same rights as the user. Update Foxit Reader to a newer version or apply the vendor’s patch to stop this behavior.

What to do

The CVE record does not list a fixed version. Check the vendor's site or the advisory links below - a fix may already be released.

Affected software

Vendor	Product	Affected versions
foxitsoftware	phantompdf	<= 9.2.0.9297 `cpe:2.3:a:foxitsoftware:phantompdf::::::::`
foxitsoftware	reader	<= 9.2.0.9297 `cpe:2.3:a:foxitsoftware:reader::::::::`

Original advisory text

This vulnerability allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code on vulnerable installations of Foxit Reader 9.0.1.5096. User interaction is required to exploit this vulnerability in that the target must visit a malicious page or open a malicious file. The specific flaw exists within the handling of onBlur events. The issue results from the lack of validating the existence of an object prior to performing operations on the object. An attacker can leverage this vulnerability to execute code in the context of the current process. Was ZDI-CAN-6334.

References

https://www.foxitsoftware.com/support/security-bulletins.php Mitigation Vendor Advisory
https://zerodayinitiative.com/advisories/ZDI-18-1097 Third Party Advisory VDB Entry

Fix within

Internet-facing 14 days

Internal At next upgrade

Not known to be exploited
Needs hands-on effort to exploit (estimated)
Gives an attacker full control (estimated)

Severity

8.8 High

Exploitation

4% chance of attack within 30 days

Type

CWE-416Use After Free

Timeline

Published29 Oct 2018

Updated23 Oct 2026

First seen29 Sep 2026

Sources

CVE-2018-17616 · NVD

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