CVE-2026-3775

Foxit PDF Editor/Reader Update Service Uncontrolled Search Path Element Local Privilege Escalation Vulnerability

Published Apr 1, 2026 CVSS 3.1 · 7.8 High EPSS < 1% KEV · Not listed

Description

The application's update service, when checking for updates, loads certain system libraries from a search path that includes directories writable by low‑privileged users and is not strictly restricted to trusted system locations. Because these libraries may be resolved and loaded from user‑writable locations, a local attacker can place a malicious library there and have it loaded with SYSTEM privileges, resulting in local privilege escalation and arbitrary code execution.

Analysis

Technical impact

The vulnerability permits a local attacker to exploit the update service’s use of an uncontrolled search path, allowing a malicious DLL to be loaded with SYSTEM privileges and thus achieving arbitrary code execution, identified as CWE‑427.

Affected Systems

Foxit Software Inc.’s PDF Editor and PDF Reader applications on Windows are affected; the specific edition or version is not listed, so any installation that uses the default update service is potentially vulnerable.

Risk and Exploitability

The CVSS score of 7.8 and an EPSS below 1 % indicate high severity but low current exploitation likelihood; the flaw is not listed in the CISA KEV catalog, and exploitation requires local write access to the vulnerable directories and triggering an update check.

Affected Products

Default status is the baseline for the product, each version can override it (e.g. patched versions marked unaffected).

Vendor Product Default status Versions

Foxit Software Inc.

Foxit PDF Editor

unaffected

Version	Status	Constraints
`Versions 2025.3 and earlier`	affected	—

Foxit Software Inc.

Foxit PDF Reader

unaffected

Version	Status	Constraints
`Versions 2025.3 and earlier`	affected	—

Configuration 1 [-]

AND

OR	cpe:2.3:a:foxit:pdf_editor::::::::
	cpe:2.3:a:foxit:pdf_editor::::::::
	cpe:2.3:a:foxit:pdf_editor::::::::
	cpe:2.3:a:foxit:pdf_editor::::::::
	cpe:2.3:a:foxit:pdf_editor::::::::
	cpe:2.3:a:foxit:pdf_reader::::::::

cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows:-:*:*:*:*:*:*:*

No data.

Vendor Product Versions

Foxitsoftware

Foxit Pdf Editor

Version	Status	Scheme	Platform
`[0,2025.3]`	affected	calver	['windows']

Foxitsoftware

Foxit Reader

Version	Status	Scheme	Platform
`[0,2025.3]`	affected	calver	['windows']

Remediation

No solution or workaround provided in the CVE record.

OpenCVE Recommended Actions

Apply the latest Foxit update that removes writable directories from the update service’s search path.
If no update is available, disable the update service or block its network access to prevent update checks from loading libraries.
Restrict write permissions on directories referenced by the update service’s search path so that non‑privileged users cannot add files.
Monitor those directories for unexpected DLLs or permission changes.

Generated by OpenCVE AI on April 14, 2026 at 21:48 UTC.

Tracking

Advisories

No advisories available

Metrics

No CVSS v4.0

Attack Vector Local

Attack Complexity Low

Privileges Required Low

Scope Unchanged

Confidentiality Impact High

Integrity Impact High

Availability Impact High

User Interaction None

No CVSS v3.0

No CVSS v2

This CVE is not in the KEV list.

Exploit prediction score: < 1% (0.255% probability within 30 days)

Exploitation none

Automatable no

Technical Impact total

References

Link	Providers
https://www.foxit.com/support/security-bulletins.html

History

Apr 14, 2026 6:00 PM First appearance in the feed. Affected versions updated. Affected vendors updated View changes

Type	Values Removed	Values Added
First Time appeared		Foxit Foxit pdf Editor Foxit pdf Reader Microsoft Microsoft windows
CPEs		cpe:2.3:a:foxit:pdf_editor:::::::: cpe:2.3:a:foxit:pdf_reader:::::::: cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows:-:::::::*
Vendors & Products		Foxit Foxit pdf Editor Foxit pdf Reader Microsoft Microsoft windows

Apr 3, 2026 10:15 AM First appearance in the feed. Affected vendors updated View changes

Type	Values Removed	Values Added
First Time appeared		Foxitsoftware Foxitsoftware foxit Pdf Editor Foxitsoftware foxit Reader
Vendors & Products		Foxitsoftware Foxitsoftware foxit Pdf Editor Foxitsoftware foxit Reader

Apr 1, 2026 11:45 PM Scoring metrics updated View changes

Type	Values Removed	Values Added
Metrics		ssvc `{'options': {'Automatable': 'no', 'Exploitation': 'none', 'Technical Impact': 'total'}, 'version': '2.0.3'}`

Apr 1, 2026 2:15 AM Description updated. Title updated. Weaknesses updated. Added references. Scoring metrics updated View changes

Type	Values Removed	Values Added
Description		The application's update service, when checking for updates, loads certain system libraries from a search path that includes directories writable by low‑privileged users and is not strictly restricted to trusted system locations. Because these libraries may be resolved and loaded from user‑writable locations, a local attacker can place a malicious library there and have it loaded with SYSTEM privileges, resulting in local privilege escalation and arbitrary code execution.
Title		Foxit PDF Editor/Reader Update Service Uncontrolled Search Path Element Local Privilege Escalation Vulnerability
Weaknesses		CWE-427
References		https://www.foxit.com/support/security-bulletins.html
Metrics		cvssV3_1 `{'score': 7.8, 'vector': 'CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H'}`