CVE-2024-7723 is a use-after-free vulnerability classified under CWE-416, discovered in Foxit PDF Reader version 2024.1.0.23997. The vulnerability specifically affects the handling of AcroForms, a feature used to create interactive forms within PDF documents. The root cause is the failure to validate the existence of an object before performing operations on it, leading to a use-after-free condition. This memory corruption flaw can be exploited by remote attackers who craft malicious PDF files or web pages containing malicious PDFs. When a user opens such a file or visits a malicious page, the vulnerability can be triggered, allowing the attacker to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the current user process. The CVSS v3.0 score is 7.8, indicating high severity, with attack vector local (requiring user interaction), low attack complexity, no privileges required, and impacts on confidentiality, integrity, and availability. Although no active exploits have been reported, the nature of the vulnerability makes it a significant risk, especially in environments where PDF documents are frequently exchanged. The vulnerability was reported by the Zero Day Initiative (ZDI) as ZDI-CAN-23736 and published on August 21, 2024. Currently, no official patches have been released, increasing the urgency for mitigation strategies.

The impact of CVE-2024-7723 is substantial for organizations relying on Foxit PDF Reader, particularly version 2024.1.0.23997. Successful exploitation can lead to arbitrary code execution, allowing attackers to compromise system confidentiality, integrity, and availability. This could result in data theft, installation of malware or ransomware, lateral movement within networks, and disruption of business operations. Since the vulnerability requires user interaction, phishing or social engineering campaigns could be used to deliver malicious PDFs, increasing the attack surface. Organizations in sectors with high PDF usage such as finance, legal, government, and healthcare are at elevated risk. Additionally, environments with less restrictive endpoint security or lacking application sandboxing are more vulnerable. The absence of known exploits in the wild currently reduces immediate risk but does not eliminate the potential for future attacks once exploit code becomes available.

To mitigate CVE-2024-7723, organizations should: 1) Monitor Foxit’s official channels closely and apply security patches immediately upon release. 2) Implement strict email and web filtering to block or quarantine suspicious PDF files from untrusted sources. 3) Educate users about the risks of opening unsolicited or unexpected PDF attachments and links. 4) Employ application sandboxing or use PDF readers with strong security controls to limit the impact of potential exploitation. 5) Use endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions to detect anomalous behavior indicative of exploitation attempts. 6) Consider disabling or restricting AcroForm functionality if not required for business processes. 7) Maintain up-to-date backups and incident response plans to recover quickly in case of compromise. These steps go beyond generic advice by focusing on proactive detection, user awareness, and configuration hardening specific to the vulnerability’s exploitation vector.