# CVE-2022-40129: Use after free in Foxit Reader

> A use-after-free in Foxit PDF Reader allows arbitrary code execution via a malicious PDF or website, requiring user interaction.

- **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:** 21 Nov 2022
- **Updated:** 15 Apr 2025
- **Also known as:** GHSA-gx78-c5g9-f5hm

## What is CVE-2022-40129?

CVE-2022-40129 is a high-severity use after free vulnerability in Foxit Pdf Reader, published on 21 Nov 2022. 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

A use-after-free vulnerability exists in the JavaScript engine of Foxit Software's PDF Reader, version 12.0.1.12430. A specially-crafted PDF document can trigger the reuse of previously freed memory via misusing Optional Content Group API, which can lead to arbitrary code 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.

Weakness: CWE-416 (Use After Free)

## Which versions are affected by CVE-2022-40129?

It affects 1 product.


Products: Foxit Pdf Reader.

## How do I fix CVE-2022-40129?

No fix has been published for CVE-2022-40129 yet. Limit exposure of the affected software until one is available.

## Is CVE-2022-40129 being exploited?

It is not confirmed as exploited in the wild, but public exploit code for CVE-2022-40129 exists.

## Other vulnerabilities in Foxit Pdf Reader

- [CVE-2021-38563](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2021-38563/): Null dereference in n/a (critical 9.8)
- [CVE-2025-32451](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2025-32451/): Memory corruption in Foxit Reader (high 8.8)
- [CVE-2024-28888](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2024-28888/): Use after free in Foxit Reader (high 8.8)
- [CVE-2023-27379](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2023-27379/): Use after free in Foxit Reader (high 8.8)
- [CVE-2023-28744](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2023-28744/): Use after free in Foxit Reader (high 8.8)

## Fix prompt for AI coding agents

```text
Check this codebase for CVE-2022-40129 and fix it if it is affected.

What it is: CVE-2022-40129 is a high-severity use after free vulnerability in Foxit Pdf Reader, published on 21 Nov 2022. 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-2022-40129 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-2022-40129/ (Markdown: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2022-40129/index.md)
```

## Sources

- CVE record: https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2022-40129
- NVD: https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2022-40129
- OSV: https://osv.dev/vulnerability/CVE-2022-40129

---
From sbomify Insights: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2022-40129/
Summaries are generated and may contain mistakes; the official description above is the record.