CVE-2026-57249 Overview
CVE-2026-57249 is a use-after-free vulnerability [CWE-416] affecting Foxit PDF Editor and Foxit PDF Reader on Microsoft Windows. The flaw is triggered when the application opens a crafted PDF file. The embedded script first resets the annotation status, then invokes a reset form event through an additional action. During the re-entry process, the application accesses invalid objects and crashes, creating conditions that can lead to arbitrary code execution in the context of the current user.
Critical Impact
A local attacker who convinces a user to open a malicious PDF can trigger memory corruption that may result in arbitrary code execution with the privileges of the victim.
Affected Products
- Foxit PDF Editor on Microsoft Windows
- Foxit PDF Reader on Microsoft Windows
- Microsoft Windows host environment
Discovery Timeline
- 2026-07-08 - CVE-2026-57249 published to the National Vulnerability Database
- 2026-07-09 - Last updated in NVD database
Technical Details for CVE-2026-57249
Vulnerability Analysis
The vulnerability is a use-after-free condition in the PDF annotation and form-handling logic. When the target PDF is opened, an embedded script resets the annotation status. Immediately afterward, an additional action attached to the annotation triggers a reset form event. This re-entry through the event handler causes the application to dereference an object whose backing memory has already been freed by the earlier reset. The result is memory corruption and an application crash that is influenceable by attacker-controlled data in the freed slot.
Root Cause
The root cause is improper object lifetime management within the annotation and form action pipeline. The reset operation frees internal structures that are still referenced by the pending additional action. No sentinel or reference count prevents the second handler from operating on the stale pointer. When the reset form event fires during the re-entry, it operates on the invalidated object, satisfying the CWE-416 pattern.
Attack Vector
Exploitation requires local user interaction. The victim must open a crafted PDF in a vulnerable version of Foxit PDF Editor or Foxit PDF Reader. No network access or elevated privileges are required by the attacker. Successful exploitation yields impact to confidentiality, integrity, and availability equivalent to the privileges of the process opening the file. Delivery typically occurs through email attachments, drive-by download of PDF content, or shared file locations.
No public proof-of-concept, exploit code, or in-the-wild exploitation has been reported. The vulnerability is not listed on the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog.
Detection Methods for CVE-2026-57249
Indicators of Compromise
- Unexpected crashes of FoxitPDFEditor.exe or FoxitPDFReader.exe shortly after opening a PDF, particularly with access violation exceptions in Windows Event Log.
- PDF files containing JavaScript that manipulates annotation state alongside additional actions referencing ResetForm.
- Windows Error Reporting entries citing use-after-free style faults inside Foxit modules.
Detection Strategies
- Inspect PDF documents for embedded JavaScript that resets annotation state followed by additional actions invoking form reset events.
- Correlate process crash telemetry from Foxit binaries with the recent open of an untrusted PDF attachment or download.
- Hunt for child processes spawned by Foxit PDF Editor or Reader following a crash, which may indicate post-exploitation activity.
Monitoring Recommendations
- Enable Windows Error Reporting and application crash telemetry forwarding for Foxit processes.
- Monitor endpoints for anomalous behavior originating from Foxit process trees, including code execution, file writes to startup locations, or outbound network connections.
- Track email and web gateway logs for PDF attachments delivered from untrusted senders to users running vulnerable Foxit versions.
How to Mitigate CVE-2026-57249
Immediate Actions Required
- Apply the patched version listed in the Foxit security bulletin as soon as it is available in your environment.
- Restrict opening of PDF files from untrusted sources until the update is deployed.
- Inventory endpoints for installed versions of Foxit PDF Editor and Foxit PDF Reader to identify exposed systems.
Patch Information
Refer to the Foxit Security Bulletins for the specific fixed version addressing CVE-2026-57249. Deploy the updated Foxit PDF Editor and Foxit PDF Reader builds across all Windows endpoints through your standard patch management process.
Workarounds
- Disable JavaScript execution within Foxit PDF Editor and Reader through the application preferences to break the exploitation chain.
- Configure email and web gateways to sandbox or strip active content from inbound PDF files.
- Use application allowlisting and reduced-privilege user accounts to limit the impact of successful exploitation.
# Configuration example: disable JavaScript in Foxit via registry on Windows
reg add "HKCU\Software\Foxit Software\Foxit PDF Editor\Preferences\JavaScript" /v bEnableJS /t REG_DWORD /d 0 /f
reg add "HKCU\Software\Foxit Software\Foxit PDF Reader\Preferences\JavaScript" /v bEnableJS /t REG_DWORD /d 0 /f
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
