# CVE-2011-10030: Foxit PDF Reader < 4.3.1.0218 JavaScript File Write

> Attackers can use a malicious PDF to write arbitrary files to disk via the createDataObject API, potentially achieving code execution.

- **Severity:** High 8.4 (`CVSS:4.0/AV:L/AC:L/AT:N/PR:N/UI:A/VC:H/VI:H/VA:H/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N`)
- **Exploited in the wild:** Not known
- **Login needed:** Not needed
- **Attackable:** Local or same network only
- **Victim action needed:** A user has to click or open something
- **Fix available:** No
- **Published:** 20 Aug 2025
- **Updated:** 15 May 2026
- **Also known as:** GHSA-2w45-jcmr-q4fv

## What is CVE-2011-10030?

CVE-2011-10030 is a high-severity path traversal vulnerability in Foxit PDF Reader, published on 20 Aug 2025. It can only be exploited from the same machine or local network, and only if a user opens a file or follows a link.

### Official description

Foxit PDF Reader <  4.3.1.0218 exposes a JavaScript API function, createDataObject(), that allows untrusted PDF content to write arbitrary files anywhere on disk. By embedding a malicious PDF that calls this API, an attacker can drop executables or scripts into privileged folders, leading to code execution the next time the system boots or the user logs in.

Weakness: CWE-73 (External Control of File Name or Path)

## Which versions are affected by CVE-2011-10030?


## How do I fix CVE-2011-10030?

No fix has been published for CVE-2011-10030 yet. Limit exposure of the affected software until one is available.

## Is CVE-2011-10030 being exploited?

It is not confirmed as exploited in the wild, but public exploit code for CVE-2011-10030 exists.

Public exploit code:

- Foxit PDF Reader 4.2 Javascript File Write (metasploit)

## Fix prompt for AI coding agents

```text
Check this codebase for CVE-2011-10030 and fix it if it is affected.

What it is: CVE-2011-10030 is a high-severity path traversal vulnerability in Foxit PDF Reader, published on 20 Aug 2025. It can only be exploited from the same machine or local network, 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-2011-10030 exists.

Affected product: Foxit PDF 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-2011-10030/ (Markdown: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2011-10030/index.md)
```

## Sources

- CVE record: https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2011-10030
- NVD: https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2011-10030
- OSV: https://osv.dev/vulnerability/CVE-2011-10030

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From sbomify Insights: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2011-10030/
Summaries are generated and may contain mistakes; the official description above is the record.