Security readout for executives and security teams
Plain-English summary
Foxit Reader 12.1.1.15289 can be compromised when a user opens a malicious PDF. The flaw can let attacker-controlled content run code with the user's privileges. Risk is high because the delivery path is common, but user interaction is required and the bundle does not show known active exploitation.
Executive priority
Treat this as a high-priority endpoint remediation item where Foxit Reader is deployed. The business risk is code execution from a document workflow, but urgency is moderated by the need for user interaction and lack of KEV evidence in the bundle.
Technical view
CVE-2023-28744 is a CWE-416 use-after-free in Foxit Reader's JavaScript engine. Manipulated form fields in a crafted PDF can cause memory corruption and arbitrary code execution. The CVSS 3.1 score is 8.8, with network attack vector, low complexity, no privileges, and required user interaction.
Likely exposure
Exposure is limited to systems running Foxit Reader version 12.1.1.15289. Risk increases where users handle untrusted PDFs or where the Foxit browser plugin extension is enabled, allowing a malicious site to trigger the vulnerable path.
Exploitation context
The sources describe exploitation through a specially crafted PDF, or a malicious website when the browser plugin extension is enabled. The CVE is not listed as KEV in the provided bundle, so active exploitation should not be claimed from this evidence.
Researcher notes
The bundle identifies Foxit Reader 12.1.1.15289 and describes a JavaScript engine use-after-free involving form fields. It does not provide exploit status, patch version, or detailed mitigation text. Validate exposure without opening untrusted samples on production systems.
Mitigation direction
- Identify and prioritize Foxit Reader 12.1.1.15289 installations.
- Check Foxit vendor guidance for fixed versions or official mitigations.
- Disable the Foxit browser plugin extension where not required.
- Reduce user exposure to unsolicited PDFs through mail and web controls.
- Apply least-privilege controls to limit code execution impact.
Validation and detection
- Inventory endpoints for Foxit Reader version 12.1.1.15289.
- Check browsers for enabled Foxit PDF plugin extensions.
- Confirm whether vendor-approved updates or mitigations are deployed.
- Review PDF-handling telemetry for suspicious files from email or web sources.
- Verify controls block or detonate untrusted PDF attachments.
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.
CWE-416: Exact CWE lookup
Use the exact CWE identifier as the starting point before reviewing related ATT&CK behavior. Open the exact CWE lookup page first, then review the ATT&CK searches from that MITRE weakness context. This is a Glexia lookup hint, not an official ATT&CK mapping.
Open ATT&CK lookupExecution 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.
Open ATT&CK lookupCVE-2023-28744 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
- High
- CVSS
- 8.8 (3.1)
- Known Exploited
- No
- Published
Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
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 vector scores
1 official scoreWe collect every scored CVSS vector available in the official CNA and ADP containers. When more than one version is present, the table keeps the source vectors side by side instead of collapsing them into the highest score.
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H2.85.9Primary CVE scoreVulnerability scoring details
Base CVSS 3.1 score
8.8HighVector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
Source materials
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.
Use After Free
Use After Free represents a recurring weakness pattern that can create exploitable paths when design, validation, or implementation controls are missing.