CVE-2024-9251 is a use-after-free vulnerability classified under CWE-416 found in Foxit PDF Reader version 2024.2.2.25170. The vulnerability specifically affects the handling of Annotation objects within the PDF reader. The root cause is the failure to verify the existence of an object before performing operations on it, which leads to a use-after-free condition. This flaw can be exploited remotely by an attacker who convinces a user to open a maliciously crafted PDF file or visit a malicious web page containing such a file. Exploitation requires user interaction but no prior privileges or authentication. The primary impact is information disclosure, allowing attackers to leak sensitive information from the affected process memory. Although the CVSS score is 3.3 (low severity), the vulnerability can be leveraged in combination with other vulnerabilities to achieve arbitrary code execution within the context of the Foxit PDF Reader process. Currently, there are no known exploits in the wild, and no patches have been published yet. The vulnerability was reported by the Zero Day Initiative (ZDI) as ZDI-CAN-24490 and publicly disclosed on November 22, 2024. The vulnerability affects confidentiality but does not directly impact integrity or availability. Due to the requirement for user interaction and the limited scope of impact, the threat is considered low but should not be ignored given the widespread use of Foxit PDF Reader in enterprise and personal environments.

The primary impact of CVE-2024-9251 is the potential disclosure of sensitive information from the memory space of Foxit PDF Reader. This can lead to leakage of confidential data such as document contents, user credentials, or other sensitive information processed by the application. While the vulnerability itself does not allow direct code execution, it can be chained with other vulnerabilities to escalate to arbitrary code execution, increasing the risk significantly. Organizations relying on Foxit PDF Reader, especially those handling sensitive documents, face risks of data leakage and potential compromise if attackers successfully exploit this flaw. The requirement for user interaction limits mass exploitation but targeted spear-phishing or watering hole attacks remain plausible. The vulnerability does not affect system integrity or availability directly, but the indirect risk of code execution could lead to broader system compromise. Given the widespread use of Foxit PDF Reader in corporate, government, and personal environments, the impact could be notable if combined with other exploits.

1. Immediately implement strict policies to avoid opening PDF files from untrusted or unknown sources, especially those received via email or downloaded from the internet. 2. Educate users about the risks of opening suspicious PDF documents and visiting untrusted websites. 3. Monitor Foxit Software’s official channels for security updates or patches addressing CVE-2024-9251 and apply them promptly once released. 4. Employ endpoint protection solutions capable of detecting anomalous behavior related to PDF readers and use-after-free exploitation techniques. 5. Consider sandboxing or isolating PDF reader applications to limit the impact of potential exploitation. 6. Use network-level protections such as email filtering and web content filtering to block malicious PDFs before reaching end users. 7. Conduct regular security assessments and penetration testing to identify chained vulnerabilities that could escalate this issue to code execution. 8. Maintain up-to-date backups and incident response plans to quickly respond to any exploitation attempts.