CVE-2022-37385 in Foxit
Summary
by MITRE • 03/29/2023
This vulnerability allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code on affected installations of Foxit PDF Reader 11.2.1.53537. 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 handling of Doc objects. The issue results from the lack of validating the existence of an object prior to performing operations on the object. An attacker can leverage this vulnerability to execute code in the context of the current process. Was ZDI-CAN-17301.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/19/2026
This vulnerability in Foxit PDF Reader 11.2.1.53537 represents a critical remote code execution flaw that demonstrates poor input validation practices in document object handling. The vulnerability stems from insufficient object validation during the processing of Doc objects within the PDF rendering engine, creating a scenario where an attacker can manipulate the application's behavior through crafted malicious content. The flaw specifically manifests when the application attempts to perform operations on objects without first verifying their existence or proper initialization, leading to potential arbitrary code execution. This type of vulnerability falls under the CWE-476 category of NULL Pointer Dereference, which is particularly dangerous in PDF readers due to the complex object model and extensive parsing requirements inherent in PDF document structures.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation as it allows remote attackers to execute malicious code within the context of the current process running Foxit PDF Reader. This means that successful exploitation could lead to complete system compromise, data theft, or further lateral movement within a network environment. The requirement for user interaction through visiting malicious web pages or opening malicious files aligns with the ATT&CK technique T1203 - Exploitation for Client Execution, which emphasizes the importance of social engineering in successful exploitation campaigns. The vulnerability's classification as ZDI-CAN-17301 indicates it was identified through coordinated vulnerability disclosure processes, highlighting the need for regular security updates and patch management in enterprise environments where PDF readers are commonly used.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including mandatory security updates from Foxit, network-based intrusion detection systems to monitor for malicious PDF content, and user education programs to prevent accidental exploitation through phishing campaigns. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper object validation and defensive programming practices in applications handling untrusted input data. Security teams should also consider implementing application whitelisting policies to restrict execution of unauthorized code and establish network segmentation to limit the potential impact of successful exploitation. Additionally, regular security assessments of PDF processing components and adherence to secure coding standards such as those outlined in the OWASP Top Ten and NIST Cybersecurity Framework should be maintained to prevent similar vulnerabilities from emerging in other applications. The incident underscores the necessity of comprehensive security testing including fuzzing and static code analysis to identify potential null pointer dereference scenarios in complex document processing software.