Cyber Resilience

CVE-2024-28888

HighPublic PoC

Published: 02 October 2024

Published
02 October 2024
Modified
23 September 2025
KEV Added
—
Patch
—
CVSS Score v3.1 8.8 CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
EPSS Score 0.0408 88.8th percentile
Risk Priority 20 60% EPSS · 20% KEV · 20% CVSS

Summary

CVE-2024-28888 is a high-severity Use After Free (CWE-416) vulnerability in Foxit Pdf Reader. Its CVSS base score is 8.8 (High).

Operationally, exploitation aligns with the MITRE ATT&CK technique Drive-by Compromise (T1189); ranked in the top 11.2% of CVEs by exploit likelihood; it is not currently listed in the CISA KEV catalog; a public proof-of-concept is referenced.

EU & UK References

Vulnerability details

A use-after-free vulnerability exists in the way Foxit Reader 2024.1.0.23997 handles a checkbox field object. A specially crafted Javascript code inside a malicious PDF document can trigger this vulnerability, which can lead to memory corruption and result in arbitrary code…

more

execution. An attacker needs to trick the user into opening the malicious file to trigger this vulnerability. Exploitation is also possible if a user visits a specially crafted, malicious site if the browser plugin extension is enabled.

CWE(s)
CWE-416

Related Threats

MITRE ATT&CK Enterprise TechniquesAI

T1189 Drive-by Compromise Initial Access
Adversaries may gain access to a system through a user visiting a website over the normal course of browsing.
attack.mitre.org →
T1203 Exploitation for Client Execution Execution
Adversaries may exploit software vulnerabilities in client applications to execute code.
attack.mitre.org →
T1204.002 Malicious File Execution
An adversary may rely upon a user opening a malicious file in order to gain execution.
attack.mitre.org →
T1566.001 Spearphishing Attachment Initial Access
Adversaries may send spearphishing emails with a malicious attachment in an attempt to gain access to victim systems.
attack.mitre.org →
Why these techniques?

Use-after-free vulnerability enables arbitrary code execution via exploitation of Foxit Reader client software when opening malicious PDFs (T1203, T1204.002, T1566.001) or visiting malicious sites with browser plugin enabled (T1189, T1203).

Affected Assets

foxit
pdf reader
2024.1.0.23997

Mitigating Controls

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.

SI-16 Memory Protection
addresses: CWE-416

Use-after-free exploits that achieve arbitrary code execution are blocked or significantly hardened by non-executable pages and ASLR.

References