SYSTEM code execution via update-service DLL hijacking
Published Apr 1, 2026 · Updated Apr 1, 2026
DLL hijacking in Foxit PDF Editor and PDF Reader 2025.3 and earlier allows local users to execute arbitrary code as SYSTEM. During update checks, the update service resolves system libraries through a search path containing user-writable directories instead of restricting resolution to trusted system locations. A low-privileged Windows user can plant a malicious library in a searched directory; the elevated service loads it without user interaction and runs its code as SYSTEM.
Summary
What happened
DLL hijacking in Foxit PDF Editor and PDF Reader 2025.3 and earlier allows local users to execute arbitrary code as SYSTEM. During update checks, the update service resolves system libraries through a search path containing user-writable directories instead of restricting resolution to trusted system locations. A low-privileged Windows user can plant a malicious library in a searched directory; the elevated service loads it without user interaction and runs its code as SYSTEM.
The record
- CVE
- CVE-2026-3775
- Published
- Apr 1, 2026
- Updated
- Apr 1, 2026
- Vendor
- Foxit Software
- Product
- Foxit PDF Reader
- Classifications
- CWE-427, T1574.001
- Attack vector
- local
- Privileges
- authenticated
Timeline
How it unfolded
- Apr 1, 2026CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
- Apr 1, 2026Record 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.
- Affected versionversion=Versions 2025.3 and earlier
What conditions does exploitation require?
What is affected?
Published CVSS scores
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.
Weakness, pattern, technique
Public exploit references
- Foxit PDF Reader LPEproof of concept · unverified
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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