CVE-2023-35985Public exploitNetwork attack vector

Code execution via exportDataObject HTA path traversal

Published Nov 27, 2023 · Updated Nov 4, 2025

Arbitrary file creation in Foxit PDF Reader 12.1.3.15356 allows remote attackers to execute code through a crafted PDF. The exportDataObject method accepts traversal sequences in an embedded data object's UF filename, and an erroneous "hta " blocklist entry lets an HTA file be written and launched. Opening the document is required; the crafted file can place attacker-controlled script in the Windows Startup folder and execute it.

CVSS severity8.8
High
EPSS probability2.67%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
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Summary

What happened

Arbitrary file creation in Foxit PDF Reader 12.1.3.15356 allows remote attackers to execute code through a crafted PDF. The exportDataObject method accepts traversal sequences in an embedded data object's UF filename, and an erroneous "hta " blocklist entry lets an HTA file be written and launched. Opening the document is required; the crafted file can place attacker-controlled script in the Windows Startup folder and execute it.

The record

CVE
CVE-2023-35985
Published
Nov 27, 2023
Updated
Nov 4, 2025
Vendor
Foxit Software
Product
Foxit PDF Reader
Classifications
CWE-73, CWE-610, T1204.002, T1059.007
Attack vector
network
Privileges
unauthenticated

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Nov 27, 2023CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
  2. Nov 4, 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=12.1.3.15356

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectornetwork
Required privilegesunauthenticated

What is affected?

Foxit Software · Foxit PDF Readerversion=12.1.3.15356

Published CVSS scores

8.8NISTCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
8.8Cisco TalosCVSS: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 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-73External Control of File Name or Path
CWE-610Externally Controlled Reference to a Resource in Another Sphere
T1204.002Malicious File
T1059.007JavaScript/JScript

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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