CVE-2019-5145Public exploitNetwork attack vector

Arbitrary code execution via field reset 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 code through a crafted PDF opened by a user. During resetForm processing, a Keystroke handler changes a field's default value while the form reset frees the prior value, causing a freed-memory read after the handler returns. Exploitation requires opening the malicious PDF, or visiting a malicious site with the browser plug-in enabled, and runs code in the Reader process.

CVSS severity8.8
High
EPSS probability3.11%
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 code through a crafted PDF opened by a user. During resetForm processing, a Keystroke handler changes a field's default value while the form reset frees the prior value, causing a freed-memory read after the handler returns. Exploitation requires opening the malicious PDF, or visiting a malicious site with the browser plug-in enabled, and runs code in the Reader process.

The record

CVE
CVE-2019-5145
Published
Jan 16, 2020
Updated
Aug 4, 2024
Vendor
Foxit Software
Product
Foxit PDF Reader
Classifications
CWE-416, T1204.002, T1203
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

8.8TalosCVSS:3.0/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
8.8NIST NVDCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

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 10, 2026Sep 16, 2026
Latest reporting daySep 16, 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
T1204.002User Execution: Malicious File
T1203Exploitation for Client Execution

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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