CVE-2022-43649

Code execution via Annotation object use-after-free

Published Mar 29, 2023 · Updated Feb 12, 2025

Use-after-free in Annotation handling in Foxit PDF Reader 12.0.2.12465 allows remote attackers to execute code via a crafted PDF. While executing PDF JavaScript, Annotation handling operates on a freed or nonexistent object without validating that the object remains valid. A target must visit a malicious page or open a malicious file; successful exploitation runs code in the current process context.

CVSS severity7.8
High
EPSS probability1.12%
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 12.0.2.12465 allows remote attackers to execute code via a crafted PDF. While executing PDF JavaScript, Annotation handling operates on a freed or nonexistent object without validating that the object remains valid. A target must visit a malicious page or open a malicious file; successful exploitation runs code in the current process context.

The record

CVE
CVE-2022-43649
Published
Mar 29, 2023
Updated
Feb 12, 2025
Vendor
Foxit Software
Product
Foxit PDF Reader
Classifications
CWE-416, T1204.002, T1203
Attack vector
local
Privileges
unauthenticated

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Mar 29, 2023CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
  2. Feb 12, 2025Record 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=12.0.2.12465

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectorlocal
Required privilegesunauthenticated

What is affected?

Foxit Software · Foxit PDF Readerversion=12.0.2.12465

Published CVSS scores

7.8NISTCVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
7.8Zero Day InitiativeCVSS:3.0/AV:L/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 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
T1204.002User Execution Malicious File
T1203Exploitation for Client Execution

Public exploit references

No public exploit references are available in this record.

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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