CVE-2019-5126Public exploitNetwork attack vector

Code execution via list-box validation use-after-free

Published Jan 16, 2020 · Updated Aug 4, 2024

Use-after-free in Foxit PDF Reader 9.7.0.29435 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code through a crafted PDF. A list-box Validate action can replace the field's items while its event handler is running, freeing an object that Foxit later reuses after attacker-controlled JavaScript has manipulated the released memory. Exploitation requires a user to open the document, or to visit a malicious site with the browser plugin enabled, and executes code in the Reader process.

CVSS severity8.8
High
EPSS probability3.48%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
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Summary

What happened

Use-after-free in Foxit PDF Reader 9.7.0.29435 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code through a crafted PDF. A list-box Validate action can replace the field's items while its event handler is running, freeing an object that Foxit later reuses after attacker-controlled JavaScript has manipulated the released memory. Exploitation requires a user to open the document, or to visit a malicious site with the browser plugin enabled, and executes code in the Reader process.

The record

CVE
CVE-2019-5126
Published
Jan 16, 2020
Updated
Aug 4, 2024
Vendor
Foxit Software
Product
Foxit PDF Reader
Classifications
CWE-416, T1203, T1204.002
Attack vector
network
Privileges
unauthenticated

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Jan 16, 2020CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
  2. Aug 4, 2024Record updatedLatest update available in the CVE record.

Exploitability

Present is not the same as exploitable

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Is a vulnerable build present?

Compare these published version ranges with your installed build and any vendor patches.

  1. Affected versionversion=Foxit Software Foxit PDF Reader 9.7.0.29435.

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectornetwork
Required privilegesunauthenticated

What is affected?

Foxit Software · Foxit PDF Readerversion=Foxit Software Foxit PDF Reader 9.7.0.29435.

Published CVSS scores

8.8Cisco TalosCVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
8.8NIST NVDCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
6.8NIST NVDAV:N/AC:M/Au:N/C:P/I:P/A:P

CVSS describes severity. EPSS estimates exploitation probability.

Attacks

What attackers are doing with it

Daily unique IPs observed by Shadowserver honeypots for known exploited vulnerabilities (KEVs). Missing observations do not establish an absence of attacks.

Daily unique IPsNo honeypot observations are available for this CVE in the selected window.

No observations available

Sep 9, 2026Sep 15, 2026
Latest reporting daySep 15, 2026
Latest daily unique IPsUnavailable
Prior 30-day averageUnavailable
SourceShadowserver honeypots (KEV)
Vectornetwork
Privilegesunauthenticated
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Public exploitPublished

Weakness, pattern, technique

CWE-416Use After Free
T1203Exploitation for Client Execution
T1204.002Malicious File

Public exploit references

Labels summarize the accepted research assessment. They do not indicate a test against your environment.

Technologies

Your stack

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Your stack

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