#VU80631 Input validation error in Foxit PDF Reader for Windows and Foxit PDF Editor (formerly Foxit PhantomPDF) - CVE-2023-39542

Vulnerability identifier: #VU80631

Vulnerability risk: High

CVSSv4.0: 5.7 [CVSS:4.0/AV:L/AC:L/AT:N/PR:N/UI:A/VC:H/VI:H/VA:H/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N/E:U/U:Amber]

CVE-ID: CVE-2023-39542

CWE-ID: CWE-20

Exploitation vector: Network

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 remote attacker to compromise the affected system.

The vulnerability exists due to insufficient validation of user-supplied input when handling the cPath parameter in the saveAs method. A remote attacker can pass trick the victim into saving a specially crafted PDF file and force the application to save a file with ".hta" extension into the Startup folder, which can result into remote code execution after the system is restarted.

Mitigation
Install updates from vendor's website.

Vulnerable software versions

Foxit PDF Reader for Windows: 10.0.0.35798 - 12.1.3.15356

Foxit PDF Editor (formerly Foxit PhantomPDF): 10.0.0.35798 - 12.1.3.15356, 2023.1.0.15510 - 2023.1.0.55583

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External links
https://www.foxitsoftware.com/support/security-bulletins.html?Security+updates+available+in+Foxit+PDF+Reader+2023.2+and+Foxit+PDF+Editor+2023.22023-09-12+00%3A00%3A00
https://www.talosintelligence.com/vulnerability_reports/TALOS-2023-1832

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Q & A

Can this vulnerability be exploited remotely?

Yes. This vulnerability can be exploited by a remote non-authenticated attacker via the Internet.

Is there known malware, which exploits this vulnerability?

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