# CVE-2017-14823: Memory corruption in Foxit Reader

> Remote attackers can execute arbitrary code via type confusion in Foxit Reader by tricking users into opening malicious files or visiting malicious pages.

- **Severity:** High 8.8 (`CVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H`)
- **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:** 20 Dec 2017
- **Updated:** 5 Aug 2024
- **Also known as:** GHSA-rf8q-mx75-ch73

## What is CVE-2017-14823?

CVE-2017-14823 is a high-severity memory corruption vulnerability in Foxitsoftware Foxit Reader, published on 20 Dec 2017. 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

This vulnerability allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code on vulnerable installations of Foxit Reader 8.3.1.21155. User interaction is required to exploit this vulnerability in that the target must visit a malicious page or open a malicious file. The specific flaw exists within the signer method of XFA's Signature objects. The issue results from the lack of proper validation of user-supplied data, which can result in a type confusion condition. An attacker can leverage this vulnerability to execute code in the context of the current process. Was ZDI-CAN-5015.

Weakness: CWE-704 (Incorrect Type Conversion or Cast), CWE-843 (Access of Resource Using Incompatible Type)

## Which versions are affected by CVE-2017-14823?

It affects 1 product.


Products: Foxitsoftware Foxit Reader.

## How do I fix CVE-2017-14823?

No fix has been published for CVE-2017-14823 yet. Limit exposure of the affected software until one is available.

## Is CVE-2017-14823 being exploited?

There is no known exploitation of CVE-2017-14823 in the wild and no public exploit code.

## Other vulnerabilities in Foxitsoftware Foxit Reader

- [CVE-2021-33793](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2021-33793/): Memory corruption in n/a (critical 9.8)
- [CVE-2021-38568](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2021-38568/): Memory corruption in n/a (critical 9.8)
- [CVE-2021-38572](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2021-38572/): Path traversal in n/a (critical 9.8)
- [CVE-2021-38573](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2021-38573/): Path traversal in n/a (critical 9.8)
- [CVE-2021-38574](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2021-38574/): SQL injection in n/a (critical 9.8)

## Fix prompt for AI coding agents

```text
Check this codebase for CVE-2017-14823 and fix it if it is affected.

What it is: CVE-2017-14823 is a high-severity memory corruption vulnerability in Foxitsoftware Foxit Reader, published on 20 Dec 2017. An attacker can exploit it over the internet without logging in, and only if a user opens a file or follows a link.
Exploitation: There is no known exploitation of CVE-2017-14823 in the wild and no public exploit code.

Affected product: Foxitsoftware Foxit 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-2017-14823/ (Markdown: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2017-14823/index.md)
```

## Sources

- CVE record: https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2017-14823
- NVD: https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2017-14823
- OSV: https://osv.dev/vulnerability/CVE-2017-14823

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From sbomify Insights: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2017-14823/
Summaries are generated and may contain mistakes; the official description above is the record.