CVE-2021-31437
📋 TL;DR
This vulnerability allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code by tricking users into opening malicious JP2 image files in Foxit Studio Photo. Attackers can exploit improper memory validation to write past allocated buffers and gain control of the current process. Users of Foxit Studio Photo 3.6.6.931 are affected.
💻 Affected Systems
- Foxit Studio Photo
📦 What is this software?
Foxit Studio Photo by Foxitsoftware
⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
Complete system compromise through remote code execution, potentially leading to data theft, ransomware deployment, or persistent backdoor installation.
Likely Case
Local privilege escalation or malware installation on the user's system when malicious JP2 files are opened.
If Mitigated
Limited impact with proper application sandboxing and user awareness preventing malicious file execution.
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploitation requires user to open malicious JP2 file. No authentication needed once file is opened.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: Update to version 3.6.6.932 or later
Vendor Advisory: https://www.foxitsoftware.com/support/security-bulletins.html
Restart Required: Yes
Instructions:
1. Open Foxit Studio Photo. 2. Go to Help > Check for Updates. 3. Follow prompts to install latest version. 4. Restart application.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Disable JP2 file association
windowsRemove Foxit Studio Photo as default handler for JP2 files to prevent automatic opening
Control Panel > Default Programs > Set Default Programs > Choose Foxit Studio Photo > Choose defaults for this program > Uncheck .jp2
Block JP2 files at perimeter
allConfigure email/web gateways to block JP2 attachments and downloads
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Implement application whitelisting to prevent unauthorized execution
- Use endpoint protection with memory protection and exploit prevention
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check Help > About in Foxit Studio Photo for version 3.6.6.931Check Version:
wmic product where name="Foxit Studio Photo" get versionVerify Fix Applied:
Verify version is 3.6.6.932 or higher in Help > About📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Process creation events from Foxit Studio Photo with unusual command lines
- Memory access violations in application logs
Network Indicators:
- Downloads of JP2 files from suspicious sources
- Outbound connections from Foxit Studio Photo process
SIEM Query:
process_name:"FoxitStudioPhoto.exe" AND (file_extension:".jp2" OR memory_violation:*)