CVE-2023-39542Public exploitNetwork attack vector

Code execution via unvalidated saveAs path

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 by inducing a user to open a crafted PDF. The Doc.saveAs method accepts an unvalidated cPath and file type, allowing an embedded pre-encoded HTA stream to be written into the Windows Startup folder. The payload runs in the user's context after the next login or restart; exploitation requires opening the PDF or visiting a malicious site with the browser plugin enabled.

CVSS severity8.8
High
EPSS probability3.63%
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 by inducing a user to open a crafted PDF. The Doc.saveAs method accepts an unvalidated cPath and file type, allowing an embedded pre-encoded HTA stream to be written into the Windows Startup folder. The payload runs in the user's context after the next login or restart; exploitation requires opening the PDF or visiting a malicious site with the browser plugin enabled.

The record

CVE
CVE-2023-39542
Published
Nov 27, 2023
Updated
Nov 4, 2025
Vendor
Foxit Software
Product
Foxit PDF Reader
Classifications
CWE-73, T1204.002, T1547.001
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

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-73External Control of File Name or Path
T1204.002User Execution Malicious File
T1547.001Registry Run Keys / Startup Folder

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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