Foxit PDF Reader: Incorrect Permission Assignment for Critical Resource
CVE-2025-13941 is a high-severity incorrect permission assignment for critical resource vulnerability in Foxit PDF Reader from Foxit, with a CVSS 3.1 base score of 8.8 out of 10. It can be exploited with local access to the system by an attacker with a low-privileged account, without any action from a user. Affected Foxit PDF Reader versions: Versions 2025.2.1 and earlier; Versions 14.0.1 and earlier; Versions 13.2.1 and eariler. The record does not name a fixed version, so check the vendor advisory. There is no confirmed exploitation so far. EPSS estimates a 0.19% chance of exploitation within 30 days, which is low compared with other CVEs.
High severity with no evidence of exploitation so far.
What to do
- Check which version of Foxit PDF Reader you run against the affected versions below, and install the vendor's latest release.
- Read the advisory on foxit.com for workarounds and exact fixed builds.
Affected products and versions
| Vendor | Product | Affected versions | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|---|
| Foxit Software | Foxit PDF Reader | Versions 2025.2.1 and earlier; Versions 14.0.1 and earlier; Versions 13.2.1 and eariler | Not stated |
| Foxit Software | Foxit PDF Editor | Versions 2025.2.1 and earlier; Versions 14.0.1 and earlier; Versions 13.2.1 and eariler | Not stated |
| Foxit | PDF Editor | 13.2.1.23955 and earlier; 14.0.0.33046 through 14.0.1.33197; 2023.1.0.15510 through 2023.3.0.23028; 2024.1.0.23997 through 2024.4.1.27687; 2025.1.0.27937 through 2025.2.1.33197 | Not stated |
| Foxit | PDF Reader | 2025.2.1.33197 and earlier | Not stated |
Version data comes from the organisation that assigned the CVE. Confirm against the vendor advisory before deciding you are unaffected.
How the severity score breaks down
- Attack vector
- LocalThe attacker needs local access or must trick a user into running something.
- Attack complexity
- LowNo special conditions are needed; the attack works reliably.
- Privileges required
- LowA basic user account is enough.
- User interaction
- NoneNo action by a victim is required.
- Scope
- ChangedThe attack can reach beyond the vulnerable component into other systems.
- Confidentiality
- HighAll data handled by the component can be read.
- Integrity
- HighData or code can be modified at will.
- Availability
- HighThe component can be taken down completely.
Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:H. Scored by NVD.
| Scoring system | Score | Severity | Scored by |
|---|---|---|---|
| CVSS 3.1 | 8.8 | High | CNA |
| CVSS 3.1 | 8.8 | High | NVD |
Official description
A local privilege escalation vulnerability exists in the Foxit PDF Reader/Editor Update Service. During plugin installation, incorrect file system permissions are assigned to resources used by the update service. A local attacker with low privileges could modify or replace these resources, which are later executed by the service, resulting in execution of arbitrary code with SYSTEM privileges.
Source: the CVE record as published by its numbering authority, via NVD and CVE.org.
The underlying weakness: Incorrect Permission Assignment for Critical Resource
The product specifies permissions for a security-critical resource in a way that allows that resource to be read or modified by unintended actors.
How developers prevent this class of flaw
- When using a critical resource such as a configuration file, check to see if the resource has insecure permissions (such as being modifiable by any regular user), and generate an error or even exit the software if there is a possibility that the resource could have been modified by an unauthorized party.
- Divide the software into anonymous, normal, privileged, and administrative areas. Reduce the attack surface by carefully defining distinct user groups, privileges, and/or roles. Map these against data, functionality, and the related resources. Then set the permissions accordingly. This will allow you to maintain more fine-grained control over your resources.
- During program startup, explicitly set the default permissions or umask to the most restrictive setting possible. Also set the appropriate permissions during program installation. This will prevent you from inheriting insecure permissions from any user who installs or runs the program.
More Incorrect Permission Assignment for Critical Resource vulnerabilities (CWE-732)
Timeline
- CVE record published.
- CISA published its SSVC assessment (exploitation: none, automatable: no, technical impact: total).
- Record last changed materially (score, affected products, status or references).
References
Other vulnerabilities in Foxit PDF Reader
- 7.8 High severity
- 7.8 High severity
- 7.8 High severity
- 8.1 High severity
- 7.8 High severity
- 7.8 High severity
Recent Incorrect Permission Assignment for Critical Resource vulnerabilities
- 8.4 High severity
- 7.8 High severity
- 7.8 High severity
- 7.5 High severity
- 8.8 High severity
- 8.5 High severity
Spotted an error? Tell us.