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CVE Record

CVE-2021-27517: Foxit PDF SDK For Web through 7.5.0 allows XSS.

Foxit PDF SDK For Web through 7.5.0 allows XSS. There is arbitrary JavaScript code execution in the browser if a victim uploads a malicious PDF document containing embedded JavaScript code that abuses app.alert (in the Acrobat JavaScript API).

UnknownCVSS not scoredNot KEV-listedUpdated
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Glexia's TakeAutomated analysismoderate

Security readout for executives and security teams

Plain-English summary

This CVE concerns cross-site scripting in Foxit PDF SDK For Web through 7.5.0. A malicious PDF can cause JavaScript to run in a victim's browser when uploaded and viewed through the affected SDK. Business risk depends on whether the SDK is embedded in applications that accept or share uploaded PDFs.

Executive priority

Prioritize review if the business runs customer-facing or partner-facing PDF upload workflows using Foxit PDF SDK For Web. Without evidence of active exploitation or severity scoring, this is not automatically critical, but it can affect trusted browser sessions where uploaded documents are reviewed.

Technical view

The source describes arbitrary browser JavaScript execution triggered by a malicious PDF containing embedded JavaScript that abuses app.alert in the Acrobat JavaScript API. The record provides no CVSS, CWE, complete CPE data, or named fixed version. KEV status is false in the supplied bundle.

Likely exposure

Exposure is most likely in web applications embedding Foxit PDF SDK For Web through 7.5.0, especially where users can upload PDFs later rendered for staff, customers, or administrators. The source bundle does not identify downstream products or hosting patterns.

Exploitation context

The supplied evidence supports a victim-interaction scenario: a malicious PDF must be uploaded and then opened through the affected web SDK. The bundle does not show CISA KEV listing, active exploitation, public exploit maturity, or observed attacks.

Researcher notes

The CVE record is sparse: no CVSS, CWE, CPEs, patch version, or exploit evidence are supplied. Analysis should focus on asset discovery, version confirmation, and whether uploaded PDFs cross trust boundaries into browser sessions with sensitive access.

Mitigation direction

  • Inventory applications using Foxit PDF SDK For Web.
  • Confirm whether any deployed version is through 7.5.0.
  • Check Foxit security bulletins for vendor remediation guidance.
  • Avoid rendering untrusted PDFs in affected viewers until remediated.
  • Restrict PDF upload and preview access where exposure remains.
  • Treat CSP or sandboxing as compensating controls, not confirmed fixes.

Validation and detection

  • Search deployed applications and packages for Foxit PDF SDK For Web.
  • Record exact SDK versions in production and staging.
  • Map PDF upload workflows to downstream preview or review users.
  • Check whether untrusted PDFs can reach privileged users.
  • Review Foxit bulletins for CVE-specific updates or guidance.
Prepared
Confidence
medium
Sources
3

Public sources used

Generated from the cited source records. This long-tail analysis has not been individually reviewed by a named human.

Potential ATT&CK relevance

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

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description · low confidence lookup

Execution behavior lookup

The CVE wording references code or command execution, so execution technique review may help defensive triage. This is a Glexia inferred lookup path, not an official MITRE, ATT&CK, or CVE Program mapping.

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cve · low confidence lookup

CVE-2021-27517 mapping review

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Vulnerability profileCVE Program record
Severity
Unknown
CVSS
Not scored
Known Exploited
No
Published
Official CVE source material

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.

0CVSS vectors
0Timeline events
0ADP providers
2Source links

CVSS and timeline data

No CVSS vectors or timeline events were available in the normalized CVE source material.

Source materials

Affected products

Products and packages named in the record

VendorProductVersion / packageStatus
n/an/an/aListed
Weakness

CWE details

No CWE listed

CWE links open Glexia weakness intelligence pages with official CWE context, developer remediation guidance, and related CVE mappings.