CVE-2023-33240
Foxit Pdf Editor ≤ 10.1.11.37866
Raw vector
CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:HCVSS and EPSS are reproduced from their sources (NVD, FIRST EPSS). Risk Priority is our own derived reading, not an NVD score.
Summary
CVE-2023-33240 is a high-severity Incorrect Default Permissions (CWE-276) vulnerability in Foxit Pdf Editor. Its CVSS base score is 7.8 (High).
Operationally, exploitation aligns with the MITRE ATT&CK technique Services File Permissions Weakness (T1574.010); ranked at the 4th percentile by exploit likelihood (below the median); it is not currently listed in the CISA KEV catalog.
OWASP Top 10 for Web (2025)
EU & UK References
- 🇪🇺 ENISA EUVD: EUVD-2023-37409
Vulnerability Data
Foxit PDF Reader (12.1.1.15289 and earlier) and Foxit PDF Editor (12.1.1.15289 and all previous 12.x versions, 11.2.5.53785 and all previous 11.x versions, and 10.1.11.37866 and earlier) on Windows allows Local Privilege Escalation when installed to a non-default directory because unprivileged…
more
users have access to an executable file of a system service. This is fixed in 12.1.2.
- CWE(s)
Related Threats
MITRE ATT&CK Enterprise Techniques
CVEs Like This One
Affected Assets
Mitigating Controls
Control response
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- 7 hardening rules · 2 OS baselines
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Likely Mitigating Controls AI
Per-CVE control mapping for this CVE has not run yet; the list below is derived from the weakness types (CWEs) cited in the NVD entry.
Access control policy can specify and enforce secure default permissions for resources.
Guides setting of default permissions to the minimum required level.
Establishes requirements for appropriate default permissions on system resources as part of configuration management.
Baseline establishment and updates on install/upgrade ensure correct default permissions rather than insecure ones.
Requiring the most restrictive settings instead of defaults prevents incorrect default permissions on resources.
Requires documented processes that include setting and maintaining correct default permissions for configuration items.
Requires addressing secure default permissions in physical and environmental protection controls.
Tailoring explicitly overrides or scopes default permission assignments in the baseline to match the system's actual risk and operational needs.
Mitigating Controls (NIST CSF 2.0) AI
Derived directly from the weakness types (CWEs) cited in the NVD entry via our AI-authored CWE→CSF cross-walk (authority under review) — links open the control.
Lifecycle management can encompass permission settings, yet the control is too broad to specifically mitigate incorrect defaults.
Defining and enforcing least-privilege access permissions directly prevents overly permissive defaults at install time.
Hardened baselines and configuration management explicitly require correct default file permissions.
Secure SDLC practices include establishing secure defaults, but address only the development-phase portion of the weakness.
Mitigating Controls (ISO/IEC 27001:2022 Annex A) AI
Derived directly from the weakness types (CWEs) cited in the NVD entry via our AI-authored CWE→ISO cross-walk (authority under review) — links open the control.
Hardening callouts derived
Configuration rules from DISA STIG baselines that bear on weaknesses of the type cited by this CVE. Each rule is shown with the relationship its mapping actually records, against the CWE it was authored against. Derived via CVE→CWE over `controls_xwalks` (higher-evidence rows only; rows rated `none` are excluded).
Windows Server 2016 (2 rules)
- V-224833 Permissions for program file directories must conform to minimum requirements. blocks CWE-276
- V-224834 Permissions for the Windows installation directory must conform to minimum requirements. blocks CWE-276
Windows Server 2019 (2 rules)
- V-205735 Windows Server 2019 permissions for program file directories must conform to minimum requirements. blocks CWE-276
- V-205736 Windows Server 2019 permissions for the Windows installation directory must conform to minimum requirements. blocks CWE-276