CVE-2022-24908 in Foxit
Summary
by MITRE • 03/28/2023
This vulnerability allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code on affected installations of Foxit PDF Reader 11.1.0.52543. User interaction is required to exploit this vulnerability in that the target must visit a malicious page or open a malicious file. The specific flaw exists within the parsing of JP2 images. Crafted data in a JP2 image can trigger a read past the end of an allocated buffer. An attacker can leverage this vulnerability to execute code in the context of the current process. Was ZDI-CAN-16187.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/05/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-24908 represents a critical buffer over-read flaw within Foxit PDF Reader version 11.1.0.52543 that enables remote code execution under specific conditions. This issue falls under the CWE-125 vulnerability category, which specifically addresses out-of-bounds read conditions that can lead to information disclosure, system crashes, or arbitrary code execution. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation during the processing of JP2 (JPEG 2000) image files, a common format used within PDF documents for high-quality image rendering. The flaw manifests when the application attempts to parse malformed JP2 image data, creating a scenario where the parser reads memory locations beyond the allocated buffer boundaries.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability requires an attacker to craft malicious JP2 image data that triggers the buffer over-read condition during image parsing operations. This specific flaw operates at the memory management level where the PDF reader's JP2 parser fails to properly validate the size and structure of incoming image data before attempting to access memory regions. When a user visits a malicious webpage containing crafted JP2 content or opens a malicious PDF file with embedded JP2 images, the vulnerable parser executes code that reads past the end of allocated memory buffers, potentially exposing sensitive memory contents or allowing attackers to inject and execute arbitrary code within the application's execution context. The attack vector aligns with ATT&CK technique T1203, which describes exploitation of software vulnerabilities to gain code execution privileges.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution, as it enables attackers to escalate privileges within the application's security boundaries. Since Foxit PDF Reader typically runs with the same privileges as the user who opened the document, successful exploitation could allow attackers to execute malicious code with the user's permissions, potentially leading to full system compromise. The requirement for user interaction through visiting malicious web pages or opening malicious files provides some defense in depth, but the widespread use of PDF documents in corporate and personal environments makes this attack vector particularly dangerous. Organizations using Foxit PDF Reader versions prior to the patched release remain at significant risk, as the vulnerability can be exploited through social engineering campaigns targeting document sharing platforms, email attachments, or compromised websites.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2022-24908 should prioritize immediate patch deployment from Foxit Corporation, as the vendor has released updates addressing this specific buffer over-read condition. Security administrators should implement network-level controls such as web application firewalls and content filtering solutions that can detect and block malicious JP2 image content. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing sandboxing mechanisms for PDF processing, which can isolate potentially malicious content from critical system resources. User education regarding the dangers of opening untrusted PDF documents and visiting suspicious websites remains crucial, as the vulnerability requires user interaction to exploit. The incident highlights the importance of regular security updates and proper input validation in multimedia processing libraries, particularly those handling complex image formats that require extensive parsing and memory management operations. Organizations should also consider implementing automated vulnerability scanning tools that can detect the presence of vulnerable Foxit PDF Reader versions within their networks and prioritize remediation efforts accordingly.