CVE-2021-34835

Code execution via reused Annotation dictionary

Published Aug 4, 2021 · Updated Aug 4, 2024

Use-after-free in Annotation handling in Foxit PDF Reader 11.0.0.49893 allows remote attackers to execute code through a crafted PDF. When page structures for different pages reference the same Annotation dictionary, the reader associates multiple annotation objects with it and later operates on a freed object. A target must visit a malicious page or open a malicious file, and successful exploitation runs code in the context of the current process.

CVSS severity7.8
High
EPSS probability3.10%
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 Annotation handling in Foxit PDF Reader 11.0.0.49893 allows remote attackers to execute code through a crafted PDF. When page structures for different pages reference the same Annotation dictionary, the reader associates multiple annotation objects with it and later operates on a freed object. A target must visit a malicious page or open a malicious file, and successful exploitation runs code in the context of the current process.

The record

CVE
CVE-2021-34835
Published
Aug 4, 2021
Updated
Aug 4, 2024
Vendor
Foxit Software
Product
Foxit PDF Reader
Classifications
CWE-416, T1203
Attack vector
local
Privileges
unauthenticated

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Aug 4, 2021CVE 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=11.0.0.49893

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectorlocal
Required privilegesunauthenticated

What is affected?

Foxit Software · Foxit PDF Readerversion=11.0.0.49893

Published CVSS scores

7.8Zero Day InitiativeCVSS:3.0/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
7.8NIST NVDCVSS:3.1/AV:L/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.

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No observations available

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

Weakness, pattern, technique

CWE-416Use After Free
T1203Exploitation for Client Execution

Public exploit references

No public exploit references are available in this record.

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Technologies

Your stack

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Your stack

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