Critical Security Flaws Uncovered in OpenSSL and Foxit PDF Reader: Immediate Action Required
In recent cybersecurity developments, significant vulnerabilities have been identified in two widely used software platforms: OpenSSL and Foxit PDF Reader. These flaws pose serious risks, including potential remote code execution (RCE) and privilege escalation, necessitating prompt attention and remediation from users and administrators.
OpenSSL Vulnerability: CVE-2025-15467
OpenSSL, a cornerstone cryptographic library integral to securing internet communications, has been found to contain a critical stack buffer overflow vulnerability, designated as CVE-2025-15467. This flaw arises during the parsing of CMS (Cryptographic Message Syntax) or PKCS#7 content that utilizes Authenticated Encryption with Associated Data (AEAD) ciphers, such as those found in S/MIME messages. Exploitation of this vulnerability can lead to application crashes, resulting in denial-of-service conditions, or potentially enable remote code execution. The affected OpenSSL versions include 3.6, 3.5, 3.4, 3.3, and 3.0, while versions 1.1.1 and 1.0.2 remain unaffected. Notably, FIPS modules within these versions are not impacted, as the CMS implementation resides outside the FIPS module boundary. ([research.jfrog.com](https://research.jfrog.com/post/potential-rce-vulnerabilityin-openssl-cve-2025-15467/?utm_source=openai))
The severity of CVE-2025-15467 has been underscored by its high CVSS score of 8.6, reflecting the substantial risk it poses to systems relying on vulnerable OpenSSL versions. Organizations utilizing these versions are strongly advised to update to the latest patched releases to mitigate potential exploitation. ([kb.igel.com](https://kb.igel.com/en/security-safety/current/isn-2026-03-openssl-vulnerability?utm_source=openai))
Foxit PDF Reader Vulnerabilities
Foxit PDF Reader, a popular application for viewing and editing PDF documents, has been identified with multiple critical vulnerabilities that could allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary code or escalate privileges.
1. Annotation Use-After-Free Vulnerability (CVE-2025-66495): This flaw exists within the handling of Annotation objects in Foxit PDF Reader. The application fails to validate the existence of an object before performing operations, leading to a use-after-free condition. An attacker can exploit this by convincing a user to open a malicious PDF file, resulting in code execution within the context of the current process. This vulnerability has been assigned a CVSS score of 7.8. ([zerodayinitiative.com](https://www.zerodayinitiative.com/advisories/ZDI-25-1176/?utm_source=openai))
2. PRC File Parsing Out-Of-Bounds Read (CVE-2025-9329): This vulnerability arises from improper validation of user-supplied data during the parsing of PRC files, leading to an out-of-bounds read. Exploitation requires user interaction, such as opening a crafted PDF file, and can result in arbitrary code execution. This issue also carries a CVSS score of 7.8. ([zerodayinitiative.com](https://www.zerodayinitiative.com/advisories/ZDI-25-863/?utm_source=openai))
3. Update Service Uncontrolled Search Path Element (CVE-2025-9330): This local privilege escalation vulnerability is present in the Foxit Reader Update Service, which loads a library from an unsecured location. An attacker with the ability to execute low-privileged code can exploit this to escalate privileges and execute code in the context of SYSTEM. The CVSS score for this vulnerability is 7.8. ([zerodayinitiative.com](https://www.zerodayinitiative.com/advisories/ZDI-25-870/?utm_source=openai))
Foxit has released updates to address these vulnerabilities. Users are urged to update their installations to the latest versions to protect against potential exploits.
AI’s Role in Uncovering Long-Standing Vulnerabilities
The discovery of these vulnerabilities highlights the evolving role of artificial intelligence in cybersecurity. An AI-assisted cybersecurity team recently uncovered 12 previously undetected vulnerabilities in the OpenSSL codebase, some dating back as far as 1998. These findings underscore the limitations of traditional human-only code reviews and the potential of AI-powered tools to enhance threat detection and mitigation efforts. ([tomshardware.com](https://www.tomshardware.com/tech-industry/cyber-security/ai-assisted-cybersecurity-team-discovers-12-openssl-vulnerabilities-claims-humans-are-the-limiting-factor-some-vulnerabilities-have-been-around-for-decades?utm_source=openai))
Recommendations for Users and Administrators
Given the critical nature of these vulnerabilities, it is imperative for users and administrators to take the following actions:
– OpenSSL: Verify the version of OpenSSL in use. If running versions 3.6, 3.5, 3.4, 3.3, or 3.0, update to the latest patched release immediately to mitigate the risk associated with CVE-2025-15467.
– Foxit PDF Reader: Ensure that the application is updated to the latest version that addresses the identified vulnerabilities. Regularly check for and apply security updates provided by Foxit.
– General Security Practices: Maintain a robust security posture by implementing regular software updates, employing comprehensive endpoint protection solutions, and educating users about the risks of opening files from untrusted sources.
By proactively addressing these vulnerabilities and adhering to best security practices, organizations and individuals can significantly reduce their exposure to potential cyber threats.
