CVE-2025-32451 in Foxit
Summary
by MITRE • 08/13/2025
A memory corruption vulnerability exists in Foxit Reader 2025.1.0.27937 due to the use of an uninitialized pointer. A specially crafted Javascript code inside a malicious PDF document can trigger this vulnerability, which can lead to memory corruption and result in arbitrary code execution. An attacker needs to trick the user into opening the malicious file to trigger this vulnerability. Exploitation is also possible if a user visits a specially crafted, malicious site if the browser plugin extension is enabled.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/02/2026
This vulnerability represents a critical memory corruption flaw in Foxit Reader version 2025.1.0.27937 that stems from improper memory management practices. The root cause lies in the application's handling of uninitialized pointers during JavaScript execution within PDF documents, creating a pathway for malicious code injection. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-457 as the use of uninitialized memory, which directly enables attackers to manipulate memory contents through crafted JavaScript code embedded in PDF files. This memory corruption issue fundamentally compromises the application's memory safety mechanisms and creates a dangerous attack surface for remote code execution.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability requires an attacker to craft malicious PDF documents containing specially designed JavaScript code that triggers the uninitialized pointer usage. When a user opens such a document, the PDF reader's JavaScript engine processes the malicious code, leading to memory corruption that can be leveraged for arbitrary code execution. The attack vector operates through two primary pathways: direct file opening by the user or through web browser plugin execution when visiting malicious websites. The browser plugin extension creates an additional attack surface since it maintains the same memory management vulnerabilities even when the application is accessed through web interfaces. This dual exploitation model increases the attack surface and makes the vulnerability more accessible to threat actors.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe as it allows for complete system compromise without requiring additional privileges or complex attack chains. Once successfully exploited, attackers can execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the victim user, potentially leading to full system control, data exfiltration, or further lateral movement within networks. The vulnerability affects a wide range of users since PDF readers are commonly used across different operating systems and environments, making it particularly dangerous for enterprise environments where Foxit Reader is widely deployed. The fact that exploitation can occur through web browsers further amplifies the risk, as users may inadvertently encounter malicious content while browsing the internet.
Organizations should immediately implement multiple layers of defense to mitigate this vulnerability. The primary recommendation is to update to the latest version of Foxit Reader where this memory corruption issue has been addressed through proper pointer initialization and memory management practices. System administrators should also disable the browser plugin extension if it is not essential for business operations, as this removes one of the attack vectors. Network security controls such as web application firewalls and content filtering systems should be configured to block access to known malicious domains and suspicious PDF content. Additionally, user education programs should emphasize the importance of only opening PDF files from trusted sources and avoiding suspicious websites. From an attack prevention perspective, this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1203 (Exploitation for Client Execution) and T1059.007 (JavaScript) as it leverages browser-based exploitation and JavaScript code execution to achieve its objectives.