Security readout for executives and security teams
Plain-English summary
Foxit Reader and PhantomPDF before version 9.2 had a flaw that could allow theft of NTLM credentials through specific PDF navigation actions. For executives, the main concern is endpoint credential exposure when users open untrusted PDFs, not direct server compromise.
Executive priority
Prioritize remediation where Foxit is widely deployed or users regularly handle external PDFs. The issue can expose Windows credentials, but available evidence does not support emergency treatment as actively exploited.
Technical view
CVE-2018-21239 affects Foxit Reader and PhantomPDF before 9.2. The CVE states that GoToE or GoToR actions can be abused to trigger NTLM credential theft. The source bundle provides no CVSS score, CWE mapping, or detailed vendor remediation beyond the version boundary.
Likely exposure
Organizations are likely exposed if managed or unmanaged endpoints still run Foxit Reader or PhantomPDF versions earlier than 9.2. Exposure depends on user interaction with crafted or untrusted PDF content.
Exploitation context
The provided sources do not show CISA KEV listing or active exploitation evidence. The vulnerability class suggests phishing or document-delivery scenarios, but exploit status should be treated as unconfirmed from this bundle.
Researcher notes
Public detail is limited in the supplied bundle. The key technical artifact is NTLM credential theft through GoToE or GoToR actions in Foxit Reader and PhantomPDF before 9.2. Avoid assuming broader Foxit products or later versions are affected.
Mitigation direction
- Inventory Foxit Reader and PhantomPDF installations across endpoints.
- Upgrade any affected installations to Foxit Reader or PhantomPDF 9.2 or later.
- Check Foxit security bulletins for any product-specific guidance.
- Reduce exposure to untrusted PDFs pending remediation.
Validation and detection
- Confirm installed Foxit product names and versions on managed endpoints.
- Flag Foxit Reader or PhantomPDF versions earlier than 9.2.
- Review email and web controls for untrusted PDF handling.
- Verify remediation by rechecking application versions after update.
Public sources used
Generated from the cited source records. This long-tail analysis has not been individually reviewed by a named human.
Conservative CVE-to-ATT&CK context
These mappings and lookup hints may be relevant to the vulnerability behavior, CWE, affected product, or exposure path. Glexia-inferred context is not an official MITRE, ATT&CK, CWE, or CVE Program mapping.
ATT&CK lookup starting points
Use these exact CWE pages and searches to review the Glexia ATT&CK library from this CVE's weakness and description context.
Credential and access behavior lookup
The CVE wording references authentication or credential exposure, so valid-account and credential-access review may help. This is a Glexia inferred lookup path, not an official MITRE, ATT&CK, or CVE Program mapping.
Open ATT&CK lookupCVE-2018-21239 mapping review
Open the CVE-to-ATT&CK bridge for reviewed, inferred, or future official mappings tied to this CVE.
Open ATT&CK lookup- Severity
- Unknown
- CVSS
- Not scored
- Known Exploited
- No
- Published
CNA and ADP enrichment extracted from CVE v5
These fields come from the CVE record and ADP containers, not from Glexia's Take. They preserve time-varying source decisions such as CISA SSVC, KEV status, CVSS metrics, and provider references.
CVSS and timeline data
No CVSS vectors or timeline events were available in the normalized CVE source material.
Source materials
- CVE List V5 sourceCVE List V5
- https://www.foxitsoftware.com/support/security-bulletins.phpCVE reference · x_refsource_CONFIRM
Products and packages named in the record
CWE details
CWE links open Glexia weakness intelligence pages with official CWE context, developer remediation guidance, and related CVE mappings.