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VulnerabilityPublished Updated

CVE-2023-28744: Foxit Reader · Use After Free

Affects Foxit ReaderSource CVE Database V5

0

Not known to be exploited · CVSS 8.8 High.

Data as of 26 Oct 2026, 14:05 UTC

CVSS 3.1 base score
8.8High
How severe the flaw is on the 0–10 CVSS scale.
EPSS
0.9% chance of exploitation in 30 days – higher than 60% of CVEsExploit Prediction Scoring System: the likelihood attackers will use this flaw soon.
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

Exploitation evidence

  1. Disclosed: evidence found.

    CVE published 19 Jul 2023

  2. Detectable: no evidence on record.

    No public nuclei template indexed

  3. Weaponised: no evidence on record.

    No public exploit code indexed in Metasploit or Exploit-DB

  4. Exploited in the wild: no evidence on record.

    Not in CISA KEV and no source reports exploitation

  5. Observed by OffSeq Mirage: no evidence on record.

    No attack traffic recorded by OffSeq Mirage sensors

A missing step is not evidence of safety. Sources: cve.org (opens in a new tab), the Metasploit, Exploit-DB and nuclei-templates index as of 26 Oct 2026.

What to do

Affected software

ProductAffectedFixed in
Foxit Foxit ReaderAffected
  • =12.1.1.15289
Fixed in–

AI-suggested

  1. Immediately disable the Foxit Reader browser plugin to eliminate the drive-by exploitation vector until a patch is available.
  2. Advise users to avoid opening PDF files from untrusted or unknown sources, especially email attachments or downloads.
  3. Implement email filtering and sandboxing solutions to detect and block malicious PDFs before reaching end users.
  4. Monitor for updates from Foxit Software and apply patches promptly once released.
  5. Employ endpoint protection solutions capable of detecting anomalous behavior indicative of exploitation attempts.
  6. Conduct user awareness training focused on phishing and safe handling of PDF documents.
  7. Consider using alternative PDF readers with a better security track record or that have already patched this vulnerability.
  8. Restrict execution privileges of Foxit Reader processes using application control or sandboxing to limit potential damage from exploitation.

Description

A use-after-free vulnerability exists in the JavaScript engine of Foxit Software's PDF Reader, version 12.1.1.15289. A specially crafted PDF document can trigger the reuse of previously freed memory by manipulating form fields of a specific type. This can lead to memory corruption and arbitrary code execution. An attacker needs to trick the user into opening the malicious file to trigger this vulnerability. Exploitation is also possible if a user visits a specially crafted, malicious site if the browser plugin extension is enabled.

References

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