CVE-2024-30335 in Foxit
Summary
by MITRE • 04/02/2024
Foxit PDF Reader AcroForm Annotation Out-Of-Bounds Read Information Disclosure Vulnerability. This vulnerability allows remote attackers to disclose sensitive information on affected installations of Foxit PDF Reader. 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 Annotation objects. The issue results from the lack of proper validation of user-supplied data, which can result in a read past the end of an allocated buffer. An attacker can leverage this in conjunction with other vulnerabilities to execute arbitrary code in the context of the current process. Was ZDI-CAN-22641.
Several companies clearly confirm that VulDB is the primary source for best vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/07/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-30335 represents a critical out-of-bounds read flaw within Foxit PDF Reader's handling of AcroForm annotations, specifically targeting the annotation object processing mechanism. This security weakness resides in the software's inability to properly validate user-supplied data during the parsing of PDF documents, creating a scenario where maliciously crafted PDF files can trigger memory access violations. The vulnerability manifests when the application attempts to read data beyond the boundaries of allocated memory buffers while processing annotation objects, particularly those associated with interactive form fields. This type of flaw falls under the CWE-125 vulnerability category, which specifically addresses out-of-bounds read conditions that can lead to information disclosure and potentially more severe exploitation vectors. The attack requires user interaction through either visiting a malicious webpage that loads a compromised PDF or opening a specifically crafted malicious file, making it a client-side vulnerability that leverages social engineering tactics to achieve its objectives.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs during the normal processing of PDF documents when the Foxit Reader application encounters annotation objects that contain malformed or oversized data structures. When the application parses these annotation objects without adequate bounds checking, it attempts to read memory locations that extend beyond the intended buffer boundaries, potentially exposing sensitive information from adjacent memory regions. This information disclosure can include stack contents, heap data, or other process memory that may contain authentication tokens, encryption keys, or other confidential data. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond simple information disclosure, as demonstrated by the potential for combining this flaw with other vulnerabilities to achieve arbitrary code execution within the context of the current process, representing a significant escalation in attack capabilities. The ZDI-CAN-22641 reference indicates this vulnerability was identified through coordinated disclosure channels and represents a well-documented security issue affecting the PDF reading software ecosystem.
The operational impact of CVE-2024-30335 poses substantial risks to organizations relying on Foxit PDF Reader for document processing and viewing. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to extract sensitive data from memory, potentially compromising user credentials, system information, or proprietary business data that might be stored in adjacent memory locations. The requirement for user interaction makes this vulnerability particularly dangerous in targeted attacks where social engineering plays a crucial role in successful exploitation, as users may be tricked into opening malicious PDF files through phishing campaigns or compromised websites. From a threat modeling perspective, this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter, as successful exploitation could lead to code execution capabilities. The vulnerability affects the confidentiality and integrity of the system, potentially enabling attackers to establish persistent access or escalate privileges within the user's session. Organizations should consider this vulnerability as part of a broader attack surface that includes other PDF processing vulnerabilities, making comprehensive patch management and user education critical components of their security posture. The vulnerability demonstrates the ongoing challenges in PDF processing security, where complex document formats create numerous attack vectors that require careful validation and bounds checking throughout the parsing pipeline.
Organizations should prioritize immediate remediation of this vulnerability through official patches provided by Foxit Corporation, as the information disclosure potential combined with the possibility of code execution makes this a high-priority security concern. System administrators should implement network monitoring to detect potential exploitation attempts through malicious PDF content and consider deploying web application firewalls or content filtering solutions to prevent access to known malicious PDF files. The vulnerability highlights the importance of input validation and bounds checking in document processing applications, particularly those handling complex binary formats like PDFs. Security teams should conduct vulnerability assessments to identify all systems running affected versions of Foxit PDF Reader and establish monitoring procedures for detecting anomalous memory access patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. Additionally, user awareness training should emphasize the dangers of opening unexpected PDF files and visiting untrusted websites that might deliver malicious content through this vulnerability vector.