CVE-2021-38569: An issue was discovered in Foxit Reader and PhantomPDF before 10.1.4

Q: How do I fix CVE-2021-38569?

foxit reader: upgrade to 10.1.4; phantompdf: upgrade to 10.1.4. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Q: Is CVE-2021-38569 being exploited?

CVE-2021-38569 is not on the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities list at the time of the last update. Check again, as this can change.

Q: What does CVE-2021-38569 affect?

CVE-2021-38569 affects foxit reader, phantompdf. Severity is high (CVSS 7.5). An issue was discovered in Foxit Reader and PhantomPDF before 10.1.4. It allows stack consumption via recursive function calls during the handling of XFA forms or link objects.

Q: How urgent is CVE-2021-38569?

Priority 47/100. High severity; Remotely exploitable, no login, no user action

This month

HIGH 7.5REMOTEUPGRADEUPGRADE

CVE-2021-38569 is a high-severity flaw (CVSS 7.5) affecting foxit reader, phantompdf. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

An issue was discovered in Foxit Reader and PhantomPDF before 10.1.4. It allows stack consumption via recursive function calls during the handling of XFA forms or link objects.

Why this priority

High severity
Remotely exploitable, no login, no user action

A fixed release or distro patch exists.

Risk facts

CVSS score	7.5 (High)
Attack vector	Network (remote)
Attack complexity	Low
Privileges needed	None
User interaction	None
EPSS exploit chance	1.0% (top 38%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-674
Published	2021-08-11
Last modified	2026-06-17

Publisher (CNA): MITRE · Vendor: foxitsoftware

Last updated 2026-06-17 · Sources: CVE Program, NVD, CISA KEV, EPSS and vendor advisories · How we score

Am I affected?

Timeline

2021-08-11 22:15 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-17 04:02 UTCUpdated Record last modified

foxitsoftware foxit reader UPGRADE

Affected: < 10.1.4

Fixed in: 10.1.4

Safe to downgrade to: no unaffected older release

1. Check installed version

apt-cache policy foxit-reader || rpm -q foxit-reader || foxit-reader --version

2. UPGRADE to 10.1.4 (Debian / Ubuntu)

sudo apt update && sudo apt install --only-upgrade foxit-reader

2. UPGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

sudo dnf upgrade foxit-reader

Note

Distros often backport fixes without changing the version number. Confirm with the distro advisory or changelog.

foxitsoftware phantompdf UPGRADE

Affected: < 10.1.4

Fixed in: 10.1.4

Safe to downgrade to: no unaffected older release

1. Check installed version

apt-cache policy phantompdf || rpm -q phantompdf || phantompdf --version

2. UPGRADE to 10.1.4 (Debian / Ubuntu)

sudo apt update && sudo apt install --only-upgrade phantompdf

2. UPGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

sudo dnf upgrade phantompdf

Note

Distros often backport fixes without changing the version number. Confirm with the distro advisory or changelog.

Verify at the official source NVD · CVE Program · Report a problem with this page
Scores and fixes here are computed automatically from those and other public sources. Confirm with the vendor advisory before changing production systems.

Quick answers

How do I fix CVE-2021-38569?

foxit reader: upgrade to 10.1.4; phantompdf: upgrade to 10.1.4. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2021-38569 being exploited?

CVE-2021-38569 is not on the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities list at the time of the last update. Check again, as this can change.

What does CVE-2021-38569 affect?

CVE-2021-38569 affects foxit reader, phantompdf. Severity is high (CVSS 7.5). An issue was discovered in Foxit Reader and PhantomPDF before 10.1.4. It allows stack consumption via recursive function calls during the handling of XFA forms or link objects.

How urgent is CVE-2021-38569?

Priority 47/100. High severity; Remotely exploitable, no login, no user action

Related CVEs

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CVE-2021-38574 CRITICAL 9.8 UPGRADE UPGRADE An issue was discovered in Foxit Reader and PhantomPDF before 10.1.4
CVE-2021-38573 CRITICAL 9.8 UPGRADE UPGRADE An issue was discovered in Foxit Reader and PhantomPDF before 10.1.4
CVE-2021-38572 CRITICAL 9.8 UPGRADE UPGRADE An issue was discovered in Foxit Reader and PhantomPDF before 10.1.4
CVE-2021-38571 HIGH 7.8 UPGRADE UPGRADE An issue was discovered in Foxit Reader and PhantomPDF before 10.1.4

References

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