CVE-2024-30325
📋 TL;DR
This is a use-after-free vulnerability in Foxit PDF Reader's AcroForm handling that allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code when a user opens a malicious PDF file. Attackers can exploit this to gain control of the affected system with the same privileges as the current user. All users running vulnerable versions of Foxit PDF Reader are affected.
💻 Affected Systems
- Foxit PDF Reader
📦 What is this software?
⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
Complete system compromise with attacker gaining full control of the victim's machine, potentially leading to data theft, ransomware deployment, or lateral movement within the network.
Likely Case
Local privilege escalation leading to malware installation, credential theft, or system disruption for the affected user account.
If Mitigated
Limited impact with proper application sandboxing and least privilege principles, potentially contained to the PDF reader process only.
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploitation requires user interaction (opening a malicious PDF) but no authentication. The vulnerability is actively tracked by ZDI and likely to be exploited in targeted attacks.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: 2024.1 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 version 2024.1 or later. 4. Restart the application after installation.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Disable JavaScript in Foxit Reader
allPrevents JavaScript execution which may be used in exploitation chains
File > Preferences > JavaScript > Uncheck 'Enable JavaScript'
Use Protected View
allOpen PDFs in protected/sandboxed mode to limit potential damage
File > Preferences > Trust Manager > Check 'Enable Safe Reading Mode'
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Temporarily switch to alternative PDF readers like Adobe Reader or browser-based PDF viewers
- Implement application whitelisting to block execution of malicious payloads
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check Foxit PDF Reader version: Help > About Foxit Reader. If version is earlier than 2024.1, you are vulnerable.Check Version:
On Windows: wmic product where name="Foxit Reader" get versionVerify Fix Applied:
Verify version is 2024.1 or later in Help > About Foxit Reader. Test opening known safe PDF files to ensure functionality.📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Unusual process creation from FoxitReader.exe
- Memory access violations in application logs
- Multiple failed PDF parsing attempts
Network Indicators:
- Outbound connections from Foxit Reader process to unknown IPs
- DNS requests for suspicious domains following PDF opening
SIEM Query:
process_name="FoxitReader.exe" AND (parent_process="explorer.exe" OR cmdline CONTAINS "malicious.pdf")