CVE-2023-42046: PDF-XChange Editor J2K File Parsing Uninitialized Variable Information Disclosure Vulnerability

Routine

MEDIUM 5.5DOWNGRADEDOWNGRADE

CVE-2023-42046 is a medium-severity flaw (CVSS 5.5) affecting pdf-tools, pdf-xchange editor. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

PDF-XChange Editor J2K File Parsing Uninitialized Variable Information Disclosure Vulnerability. This vulnerability allows remote attackers to disclose sensitive information on affected installations of PDF-XChange Editor. User interaction is required to exploit this vulnerability in that the target must visit a malicious page or open a malicious file. The specific flaw exists within the parsing of J2K files. The issue results from the lack of p

Why this priority

No elevated risk signals yet

No fix is published yet: follow the downgrade or mitigation steps.

Risk facts

CVSS score	5.5 (Medium)
Attack vector	Local
Attack complexity	Low
Privileges needed	None
User interaction	Required
EPSS exploit chance	0.5% (top 60%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-457, CWE-908
Published	2024-05-03
Last modified	2026-06-17

Publisher (CNA): Zero Day Initiative · Vendor: pdf-xchange

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

Am I affected?

Timeline

2024-05-03 03:15 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-17 06:23 UTCUpdated Record last modified

pdf-xchange pdf-tools DOWNGRADE

Affected: 10.0.1.371

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 10.0.1.371

1. Check installed version

apt-cache policy pdf-tools || rpm -q pdf-tools || pdf-tools --version

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE to a release before 10.0.1.371 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison pdf-tools sudo apt install pdf-tools=<VERSION_BEFORE_10.0.1.371> sudo apt-mark hold pdf-tools

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

dnf --showduplicates list pdf-tools sudo dnf downgrade pdf-tools-<VERSION_BEFORE_10.0.1.371> sudo dnf versionlock add pdf-tools

Downgrade risk

Downgrading can break dependent software and may reopen older bugs. Read the distro advisory first and test on a non-production host.

After downgrade

Restart the service, and keep the package held until a fixed release ships.

pdf-xchange pdf-xchange editor DOWNGRADE

Affected: 10.0.1.371

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 10.0.1.371

1. Check installed version

apt-cache policy pdf-xchange-editor || rpm -q pdf-xchange-editor || pdf-xchange-editor --version

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE to a release before 10.0.1.371 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison pdf-xchange-editor sudo apt install pdf-xchange-editor=<VERSION_BEFORE_10.0.1.371> sudo apt-mark hold pdf-xchange-editor

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

dnf --showduplicates list pdf-xchange-editor sudo dnf downgrade pdf-xchange-editor-<VERSION_BEFORE_10.0.1.371> sudo dnf versionlock add pdf-xchange-editor

Downgrade risk

Downgrading can break dependent software and may reopen older bugs. Read the distro advisory first and test on a non-production host.

After downgrade

Restart the service, and keep the package held until a fixed release ships.

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-2023-42046?

pdf-tools: downgrade or apply the listed mitigation; pdf-xchange editor: downgrade or apply the listed mitigation. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2023-42046 being exploited?

CVE-2023-42046 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-2023-42046 affect?

CVE-2023-42046 affects pdf-tools, pdf-xchange editor. Severity is medium (CVSS 5.5). PDF-XChange Editor J2K File Parsing Uninitialized Variable Information Disclosure Vulnerability. This vulnerability allows remote attackers to disclose sensitive information on affected installations of PDF-XChange Editor. User interaction

How urgent is CVE-2023-42046?

Priority 29/100. No elevated risk signals yet.

Related CVEs

CVE-2025-6662 LOW 3.3 DOWNGRADE DOWNGRADE PDF-XChange Editor PRC File Parsing Out-Of-Bounds Read Information Disclosure Vulnerability
CVE-2025-6661 HIGH 7.8 DOWNGRADE DOWNGRADE PDF-XChange Editor App Object Use-After-Free Remote Code Execution Vulnerability
CVE-2025-6660 HIGH 7.8 DOWNGRADE DOWNGRADE PDF-XChange Editor GIF File Parsing Heap-based Buffer Overflow Remote Code Execution Vulnerability
CVE-2025-6659 HIGH 7.8 DOWNGRADE DOWNGRADE PDF-XChange Editor PRC File Parsing Out-Of-Bounds Write Remote Code Execution Vulnerability
CVE-2025-6658 LOW 3.3 DOWNGRADE DOWNGRADE PDF-XChange Editor PRC File Parsing Out-Of-Bounds Read Information Disclosure Vulnerability

References

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