CVE-2021-33793 : Security Advisory and Response

Foxit Reader before 10.1.4 and PhantomPDF before 10.1.4 are affected by an out-of-bounds write vulnerability due to mishandling the Cross-Reference table during Office document conversion.

Understanding CVE-2021-33793

This CVE ID pertains to a vulnerability present in Foxit Reader and PhantomPDF versions prior to 10.1.4.

What is CVE-2021-33793?

CVE-2021-33793 is an out-of-bounds write vulnerability resulting from the mishandling of the Cross-Reference table during the conversion of Office documents in Foxit Reader and PhantomPDF.

The Impact of CVE-2021-33793

Exploitation of this vulnerability could allow an attacker to execute arbitrary code or cause a denial of service by submitting a maliciously crafted Office document.

Technical Details of CVE-2021-33793

The technical details of this CVE include:

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability arises from an out-of-bounds write issue due to improper handling of the Cross-Reference table.

Affected Systems and Versions

Foxit Reader and PhantomPDF versions before 10.1.4 are impacted by this vulnerability.

Exploitation Mechanism

Malicious actors can exploit this vulnerability by coercing a targeted user into opening a specially crafted Office document.

Mitigation and Prevention

To address CVE-2021-33793, consider the following remediation steps:

Immediate Steps to Take

Update Foxit Reader and PhantomPDF to version 10.1.4 or newer to mitigate the risk of exploitation.

Long-Term Security Practices

Implement a security policy that discourages opening untrusted or suspicious documents from unknown sources.

Patching and Updates

Regularly check for security updates from Foxit Software and apply patches promptly to safeguard against known vulnerabilities.