Foxit PDF Reader has been updated to version 2024.2.3 for Windows, alongside updates for the premium Foxit PDF Editor. These updates address multiple high-risk security vulnerabilities in both products. Foxit PDF Reader is a popular alternative to Adobe Acrobat Reader, and Foxit PDF Editor provides extensive PDF editing features.
Foxit Software’s security bulletin reveals that these vulnerabilities affect all versions of the Reader and Editor for Windows up to version 2024.2.2. Foxit PDF Editor versions 2024.2.2 for macOS and 13.12 for Windows are also vulnerable. Fortunately, there are currently no known attacks exploiting these vulnerabilities.
In the Windows versions, Foxit fixed five security vulnerabilities that external researchers had discovered. These issues are primarily “use-after-free” vulnerabilities, which could allow malicious PDFs to execute arbitrary code on a user’s machine. The new version 2024.2.3 for both Reader and Editor has addressed these issues.
Foxit PDF Reader and Editor Receive Critical Security Updates in Latest Version
Despite the updates being available for a while, the update for Foxit’s Windows PDF Reader was only officially released on August 9th. Foxit PDF Reader, once known for being lightweight, has gradually grown in size, now exceeding 140MB. Although it’s still smaller than Adobe Acrobat, this growth reflects its expanded features.
For users seeking a truly lightweight and free alternative, Sumatra PDF is recommended, with a download size of under 8MB. Additionally, many modern web browsers have built-in PDF viewers that are sufficient for basic PDF reading. It’s also important to note that the Foxit PDF Reader installer includes a 14-day trial of Foxit PDF Editor unless manually deselected during installation.
