CVE-2025-55309
📋 TL;DR
A use-after-free vulnerability in Foxit PDF and Editor allows memory corruption or crashes when processing malicious PDF files containing specific JavaScript. Attackers could exploit this by tricking users into opening crafted PDFs. Affected users include anyone running vulnerable Foxit software versions on Windows or macOS.
💻 Affected Systems
- Foxit PDF Reader
- Foxit PDF Editor
📦 What is this software?
⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
Remote code execution leading to full system compromise if memory corruption is weaponized.
Likely Case
Application crashes (denial of service) and potential information disclosure from memory corruption.
If Mitigated
Limited to application crashes if exploit fails to achieve code execution.
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploitation requires user interaction (opening malicious PDF). JavaScript execution is typically enabled by default.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: 13.2 or 2025.2
Vendor Advisory: https://www.foxit.com/support/security-bulletins.html
Restart Required: Yes
Instructions:
1. Open Foxit software. 2. Go to Help > Check for Updates. 3. Follow prompts to install version 13.2 or 2025.2. 4. Restart the application.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Disable JavaScript in PDFs
allPrevents the malicious JavaScript from executing.
In Foxit: File > Preferences > JavaScript > Uncheck 'Enable JavaScript'
Use Protected View
allOpens PDFs in a sandboxed environment.
In Foxit: File > Preferences > Trust Manager > Check 'Enable Safe Reading Mode'
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Block PDF files from untrusted sources at network perimeter.
- Educate users to avoid opening PDFs from unknown senders.
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check Foxit version in Help > About. If version is below 13.2 (for older series) or below 2025.2 (for 2025 series), it's vulnerable.Check Version:
On Windows: wmic product where name like "Foxit%" get version. On macOS: /Applications/Foxit\ PDF\ Editor.app/Contents/Info.plist | grep -A1 CFBundleShortVersionStringVerify Fix Applied:
Confirm version is 13.2 or higher (or 2025.2 or higher for 2025 series) in Help > About.📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Application crash logs from Foxit processes
- Unexpected JavaScript execution errors in PDFs
Network Indicators:
- Inbound PDF files from untrusted sources
- Outbound connections after PDF opening
SIEM Query:
source="*foxit*" AND (event_type="crash" OR message="*JavaScript*" OR message="*memory*corruption*")