CVE-2025-13941: Foxit PDF Reader · Incorrect Permissions
Affects Foxit PDF ReaderSource CVE Database V5
Not known to be exploited · CVSS 8.8 High.
Data as of 26 Oct 2026, 10:12 UTC
- EPSS
- 0.1% chance of exploitation in 30 days – higher than 8% of CVEsExploit Prediction Scoring System: the likelihood attackers will use this flaw soon.
CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:HExploitation evidence
Disclosed: evidence found.
CVE published 19 Dec 2025
Detectable: no evidence on record.
No public nuclei template indexed
Weaponised: no evidence on record.
No public exploit code indexed in Metasploit or Exploit-DB
Exploited in the wildExploited: no evidence on record.
Not in CISA KEV and no source reports exploitation
Observed by OffSeq MirageSeen by 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
| Product | Affected | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|
| Foxit Software Inc. Foxit PDF Reader | Affected
| Fixed in– |
AI-suggested
- Apply official patches from Foxit Software immediately once they become available to correct the file permission assignments in the update service.
- Until patches are released, manually audit and restrict file system permissions on the update service's plugin installation directories and executable resources to prevent modification by non-administrative users.
- Implement strict endpoint security controls, including application whitelisting and integrity monitoring, to detect unauthorized changes to update service files.
- Limit local user privileges wherever possible to reduce the risk of exploitation by low-privileged users.
- Monitor system logs and security alerts for suspicious activities related to the Foxit update service or unexpected privilege escalations.
- Educate IT and security teams about this vulnerability to ensure rapid response and remediation.
- Consider deploying host-based intrusion prevention systems (HIPS) that can block unauthorized code execution attempts at the SYSTEM level.
- Review and harden overall endpoint security posture, including restricting software installation rights and enforcing least privilege principles.
Description
A local privilege escalation vulnerability exists in the Foxit PDF Reader/Editor Update Service. During plugin installation, incorrect file system permissions are assigned to resources used by the update service. A local attacker with low privileges could modify or replace these resources, which are later executed by the service, resulting in execution of arbitrary code with SYSTEM privileges.