CVE-2022-37383
📋 TL;DR
This vulnerability in Foxit PDF Reader allows remote attackers to read sensitive information from memory by exploiting a JavaScript flaw in Doc object handling. Users who open malicious PDF files or visit malicious web pages while using vulnerable versions are affected. The vulnerability can be combined with other exploits to potentially execute arbitrary code.
💻 Affected Systems
- Foxit PDF Reader
📦 What is this software?
⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
Remote code execution leading to complete system compromise, data theft, or ransomware deployment.
Likely Case
Information disclosure of sensitive memory contents, potentially including credentials or other application data.
If Mitigated
Limited information leakage without code execution if JavaScript is disabled or other mitigations are applied.
🎯 Exploit Status
Requires user interaction to open malicious PDF. Part of ZDI-CAN-17111 with technical details available to researchers.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: 11.2.2 and later
Vendor Advisory: https://www.foxit.com/support/security-bulletins.html
Restart Required: Yes
Instructions:
1. Open Foxit PDF Reader. 2. Go to Help > Check for Updates. 3. Follow prompts to install latest version. 4. Restart application after update.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Disable JavaScript in Foxit Reader
allPrevents exploitation by disabling JavaScript execution in PDF files
Open Foxit Reader > File > Preferences > JavaScript > Uncheck 'Enable JavaScript'
Use Protected View
allOpen untrusted PDFs in protected/sandboxed mode
File > Preferences > General > Check 'Open cross-domain PDF files in Protected View'
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Disable JavaScript in Foxit Reader settings
- Use alternative PDF reader for untrusted documents
- Implement application whitelisting to block Foxit Reader execution
- Educate users not to open PDFs from untrusted sources
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check Foxit Reader version: Help > About Foxit Reader. If version is 11.2.1.53537 or earlier, system is vulnerable.Check Version:
On Windows: wmic product where name="Foxit Reader" get versionVerify Fix Applied:
Verify version is 11.2.2 or later in Help > About Foxit Reader.📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Application crashes of Foxit Reader
- Unusual JavaScript execution in PDF files
- Memory access violations in application logs
Network Indicators:
- Downloads of PDF files from suspicious sources
- HTTP requests to known exploit domains
SIEM Query:
source="*foxit*" AND (event_type="crash" OR event_type="exception")