CVE-2023-38573Public exploitNetwork attack vector

Arbitrary code execution via freed signature object

Published Nov 27, 2023 · Updated Nov 4, 2025

Use-after-free in Foxit PDF Reader 12.1.3.15356 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a malicious PDF signature field. The signature field OnBlur callback invokes deletePages(), freeing its signature object, and Foxit later dereferences that object without validation. Exploitation requires opening the crafted PDF or visiting a malicious site with the browser plugin enabled; successful memory manipulation gains code execution in the reader process.

CVSS severity8.8
High
EPSS probability1.91%
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 12.1.3.15356 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a malicious PDF signature field. The signature field OnBlur callback invokes deletePages(), freeing its signature object, and Foxit later dereferences that object without validation. Exploitation requires opening the crafted PDF or visiting a malicious site with the browser plugin enabled; successful memory manipulation gains code execution in the reader process.

The record

CVE
CVE-2023-38573
Published
Nov 27, 2023
Updated
Nov 4, 2025
Vendor
Foxit Software
Product
Foxit PDF Reader
Classifications
CWE-416, T1204.002, T1203
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

8.8Cisco TalosCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
8.8NISTCVSS: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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