CVE-2024-30344 in Foxit
Summary
by MITRE • 04/03/2024
Foxit PDF Reader AcroForm Use-After-Free Remote Code Execution Vulnerability. This vulnerability allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code 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 Acroforms. 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-22733.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/08/2025
This vulnerability resides in Foxit PDF Reader's handling of Acroform elements within PDF documents, representing a critical use-after-free flaw that enables remote code execution. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation mechanisms within the application's form processing subsystem where the software fails to verify object existence before performing operations on Acroform elements. This fundamental oversight creates a race condition scenario where freed memory objects can be accessed and manipulated by malicious actors, ultimately leading to arbitrary code execution within the context of the current process. The vulnerability specifically affects versions of Foxit PDF Reader that process interactive form elements, making it particularly dangerous in environments where users frequently open PDF documents from untrusted sources. The flaw's classification as a use-after-free vulnerability aligns with CWE-416, which addresses the use of freed memory in software applications, and represents a common vector for privilege escalation attacks.
The exploitation of this vulnerability requires user interaction through either visiting a malicious webpage that loads a crafted PDF or opening a malicious PDF file directly, making it a remote code execution vulnerability that can be delivered via web-based attacks. Attackers can construct specially crafted PDF documents containing malformed Acroform elements that trigger the vulnerable code path when the reader attempts to process the form fields. The lack of proper object validation creates a window where memory management errors can be exploited to overwrite critical program structures or inject malicious code into the target process. This vulnerability demonstrates how interactive PDF features can serve as attack vectors, particularly when the application's memory management does not properly enforce object lifecycle boundaries. The ZDI-CAN-22733 identifier indicates this vulnerability was tracked by the Zero Day Initiative, highlighting its significance in the cybersecurity community and the potential for widespread exploitation.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple remote code execution to encompass complete system compromise when exploited successfully. Attackers can leverage the vulnerability to gain unauthorized access to systems, escalate privileges, and potentially establish persistent backdoors within affected environments. The vulnerability affects organizations that rely heavily on PDF document processing, particularly those where users regularly interact with PDF forms or download documents from external sources. Security teams must consider the implications of this vulnerability in environments where Foxit PDF Reader is widely deployed, as it could enable attackers to bypass traditional security controls and gain access to sensitive information or systems. The vulnerability's remote nature means that organizations cannot rely solely on network segmentation or traditional firewall rules to protect against exploitation, as users may inadvertently trigger the vulnerability through routine PDF document interactions.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should include immediate patch deployment from Foxit Corporation, as the vendor has likely released security updates addressing the specific memory management issues within the Acroform processing code. Organizations should implement network-based protections such as web application firewalls and content filtering solutions that can detect and block malicious PDF content before it reaches end users. User education remains critical in preventing exploitation, as security awareness training should emphasize the dangers of opening PDF documents from untrusted sources or clicking on suspicious links that may lead to malicious PDF content. Additionally, implementing application whitelisting policies that restrict the execution of unauthorized PDF readers or limiting the functionality of PDF readers to prevent automatic form processing can significantly reduce the attack surface. The vulnerability's characteristics align with ATT&CK technique T1203, which covers exploitation for privilege escalation, and T1059, which addresses command and scripting interpreters, indicating that exploitation could lead to broader system compromise through established attack frameworks.