# CVE-2009-0836: Other in n/a

> Remote attackers can execute arbitrary programs via crafted PDF files because Foxit Reader fails to require user confirmation for dangerous actions.

- **Severity:** Critical 10.0 (`AV:N/AC:L/Au:N/C:C/I:C/A:C`)
- **Exploited in the wild:** Not known
- **Login needed:** Not needed
- **Attackable:** Over the internet
- **Victim action needed:** A user has to click or open something
- **Fix available:** No
- **Published:** 10 Mar 2009
- **Updated:** 7 Aug 2024
- **Also known as:** GHSA-xp5q-j3fq-3qw3

## What is CVE-2009-0836?

CVE-2009-0836 is a critical vulnerability in Foxitsoftware Reader, published on 10 Mar 2009. An attacker can exploit it over the internet without logging in, and only if a user opens a file or follows a link.

### Official description

Foxit Reader 2.3 before Build 3902 and 3.0 before Build 1506, including 1120 and 1301, does not require user confirmation before performing dangerous actions defined in a PDF file, which allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary programs and have unspecified other impact via a crafted file, as demonstrated by the "Open/Execute a file" action.

Weakness: CWE-119 (Improper Restriction of Operations within the Bounds of a Memory Buffer)

## Which versions are affected by CVE-2009-0836?

It affects 1 product.


Products: Foxitsoftware Reader.

## How do I fix CVE-2009-0836?

No fix has been published for CVE-2009-0836 yet. Limit exposure of the affected software until one is available.

## Is CVE-2009-0836 being exploited?

It is not confirmed as exploited in the wild, but public exploit code for CVE-2009-0836 exists.

Public exploit code:

- Foxit Reader Authorization Bypass (metasploit)

## Other vulnerabilities in Foxitsoftware Reader

- [CVE-2018-17617](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2018-17617/): Use after free in Foxit Reader (high 8.8)
- [CVE-2018-17619](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2018-17619/): Use after free in Foxit Reader (high 8.8)
- [CVE-2018-17621](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2018-17621/): Use after free in Foxit Reader (high 8.8)
- [CVE-2019-13326](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2019-13326/): Use after free in Reader (high 7.8)
- [CVE-2019-13327](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2019-13327/): Use after free in Reader (high 7.8)

## Fix prompt for AI coding agents

```text
Check this codebase for CVE-2009-0836 and fix it if it is affected.

What it is: CVE-2009-0836 is a critical vulnerability in Foxitsoftware Reader, published on 10 Mar 2009. An attacker can exploit it over the internet without logging in, and only if a user opens a file or follows a link.
Exploitation: It is not confirmed as exploited in the wild, but public exploit code for CVE-2009-0836 exists.

Affected product: Foxitsoftware Reader. No package-level version data is available, so check the vendor advisory linked from the reference page.

Task:
1. Search the dependency manifests and lockfiles (for example package.json, package-lock.json, requirements.txt, poetry.lock, uv.lock, pom.xml, build.gradle, go.mod, Cargo.lock, Gemfile.lock) and any Dockerfiles for the affected packages, including transitive dependencies.
2. If an affected version is in use, upgrade it to the fixed version for its release line with the project's package manager, so the lockfile is regenerated. Prefer the smallest upgrade that fixes it.
3. If there is no fix, or the upgrade would break the build, do not guess: explain the risk and the safest workaround instead.
4. Run the tests and summarise what changed and why.
5. If nothing in the project is affected, say so and change nothing.

Reference: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2009-0836/ (Markdown: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2009-0836/index.md)
```

## Sources

- CVE record: https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2009-0836
- NVD: https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2009-0836
- OSV: https://osv.dev/vulnerability/CVE-2009-0836

---
From sbomify Insights: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2009-0836/
Summaries are generated and may contain mistakes; the official description above is the record.