#VU101826 Untrusted search path in Foxit PDF Reader for Windows and Foxit PDF Editor (formerly Foxit PhantomPDF)

Vulnerability identifier: #VU101826

Vulnerability risk: Low

CVSSv4.0: 5.9 [CVSS:4.0/AV:L/AC:L/AT:N/PR:L/UI:N/VC:H/VI:H/VA:H/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N/E:U/U:Clear]

CVE-ID: N/A

CWE-ID: CWE-426

Exploitation vector: Local

Exploit availability: No

Vulnerable software:
Foxit PDF Reader for Windows
Client/Desktop applications / Office applications
Foxit PDF Editor (formerly Foxit PhantomPDF)
Client/Desktop applications / Office applications

Vendor: Foxit Software Inc.

Description

The vulnerability allows a local user to escalate privileges on the system.

The vulnerability exists due to usage of an untrusted search path during application update. A local user can place a malicious binary into a specific location on the system and execute arbitrary code with escalated privileges.

Mitigation
Install updates from vendor's website.

Vulnerable software versions

Foxit PDF Reader for Windows: 11.0.0.49893 - 2024.3.0.26795

Foxit PDF Editor (formerly Foxit PhantomPDF): 11.0.0.0510 - 13.1.4.23147, 2023.1.0.15510 - 2024.3.0.26795

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External links
https://www.foxitsoftware.com/support/security-bulletins.html?Security+updates+available+in+Foxit+PDF+Reader+2024.4+and+Foxit+PDF+Editor+2024.4%2F13.1.52024-12-17+00%3A00%3A00

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Q & A

Can this vulnerability be exploited remotely?

No. This vulnerability can be exploited locally. The attacker should have authentication credentials and successfully authenticate on the system.

Is there known malware, which exploits this vulnerability?

No. We are not aware of malware exploiting this vulnerability.