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CVE-2018-17692: Foxit PhantomPDF can run attacker code via malicious file

CVE-2018-17692 · published 7 years ago

Summary

Versions of Foxit PhantomPDF 9.2.0.9297 and the matching Foxit Reader can be tricked into running 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 data correctly when converting HTML to PDF, which can let an attacker execute commands on the user's computer. Install the latest updates from Foxit or disable the HTML‑to‑PDF conversion feature, and educate users not to open unknown files or links.

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 PhantomPDF 9.2.0.9297. 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 conversion of HTML files to PDF. The issue results from the lack of proper validation of user-supplied data, which can result in a write past the end of an allocated structure. An attacker can leverage this vulnerability to execute code in the context of the current process. Was ZDI-CAN-7129.

References

https://www.foxitsoftware.com/support/security-bulletins.php Vendor Advisory
https://www.zerodayinitiative.com/advisories/ZDI-18-1176/ 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-787Out-of-bounds Write

Timeline

Published24 Jan 2019

Updated23 Oct 2026

First seen29 Sep 2026

Sources

CVE-2018-17692 · NVD

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