# CVE-2023-35985: Path traversal in Foxit Reader

> Attackers can create arbitrary files via a malicious PDF, leading to code execution, requiring user interaction to open the file.

- **Severity:** High 8.8 (`CVSS:3.1/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:** 27 Nov 2023
- **Updated:** 4 Nov 2025
- **Also known as:** GHSA-9gj5-q54r-hcpr

## What is CVE-2023-35985?

CVE-2023-35985 is a high-severity path traversal vulnerability in Foxitsoftware Foxit Reader, published on 27 Nov 2023. 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

An arbitrary file creation vulnerability exists in the Javascript exportDataObject API of Foxit Reader 12.1.3.15356 due to a failure to properly validate a dangerous extension. A specially crafted malicious file can create files at arbitrary locations, 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-610 (Externally Controlled Reference to a Resource in Another Sphere), CWE-73 (External Control of File Name or Path)

## Which versions are affected by CVE-2023-35985?

It affects 1 product.


Products: Foxitsoftware Foxit Reader.

## How do I fix CVE-2023-35985?

No fix has been published for CVE-2023-35985 yet. Limit exposure of the affected software until one is available.

## Is CVE-2023-35985 being exploited?

It is not confirmed as exploited in the wild, but public exploit code for CVE-2023-35985 exists.

Public exploit code:

-  CVE-2023-35985 reproduction (github_poc): https://github.com/SpiralBL0CK/-CVE-2023-35985
- https://github.com/N00BIER/CVE-2023-35985 (github_poc): https://github.com/N00BIER/CVE-2023-35985

## 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-2023-35985 and fix it if it is affected.

What it is: CVE-2023-35985 is a high-severity path traversal vulnerability in Foxitsoftware Foxit Reader, published on 27 Nov 2023. 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-2023-35985 exists.

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-2023-35985/ (Markdown: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2023-35985/index.md)
```

## Sources

- CVE record: https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2023-35985
- NVD: https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2023-35985
- OSV: https://osv.dev/vulnerability/CVE-2023-35985

---
From sbomify Insights: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2023-35985/
Summaries are generated and may contain mistakes; the official description above is the record.