CVE-2024-30360 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-22797.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/08/2025
The CVE-2024-30360 vulnerability represents a critical use-after-free flaw in Foxit PDF Reader's handling of AcroForm elements within PDF documents. This vulnerability falls under the CWE-416 category, specifically addressing use-after-free conditions where memory is accessed after it has been freed, creating a dangerous scenario for remote code execution. The flaw manifests when the PDF reader processes AcroForm components, which are interactive form elements commonly used in PDF documents for data collection and user interaction. The vulnerability's remote exploitation capability makes it particularly dangerous as attackers can deliver malicious payloads through web pages or malicious PDF files without requiring local system access.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation within the AcroForm processing subsystem of Foxit PDF Reader. When parsing PDF documents containing AcroForm elements, the application fails to properly validate whether objects exist before performing operations on them. This validation gap creates a race condition where an attacker can manipulate the memory state of the application through crafted PDF content, causing the application to reference freed memory locations. The absence of proper object lifecycle management allows attackers to control the execution flow and potentially inject malicious code into the running process. This type of vulnerability is classified under the ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter, as it enables arbitrary code execution that can be leveraged to establish persistent access or escalate privileges.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple remote code execution, as it can lead to complete system compromise when exploited successfully. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to execute malicious code with the privileges of the current user, potentially leading to data theft, system monitoring, or further network infiltration. The requirement for user interaction through visiting malicious web pages or opening compromised PDF files means that social engineering plays a significant role in exploitation, making this vulnerability particularly challenging to defend against in enterprise environments. Organizations using Foxit PDF Reader are at risk of targeted attacks where adversaries craft specific PDF documents designed to exploit this exact vulnerability, potentially bypassing traditional security controls that might not detect malicious PDF content.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2024-30360 should prioritize immediate patching of affected Foxit PDF Reader installations, as this represents a critical vulnerability requiring urgent attention. Organizations should implement network-based protections such as web application firewalls and content filtering systems that can detect and block malicious PDF content before it reaches end users. Additionally, user education and awareness programs should emphasize the dangers of opening PDF files from untrusted sources, particularly those containing interactive form elements. Security teams should consider implementing sandboxing mechanisms for PDF processing and monitoring for unusual process behavior that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability's classification as a use-after-free error also suggests that memory corruption defenses such as address space layout randomization and data execution prevention should be enabled to make exploitation more difficult. Organizations should also conduct regular vulnerability assessments to identify other potential similar flaws in their document processing software and maintain updated threat intelligence to detect related attack patterns in their networks.