How severe is CVE-2023-42074?

CVE-2023-42074 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 7.8, rated high severity. It is exploitable over local access with low attack complexity, requires no privileges and user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is high, integrity high, and availability high.

Is CVE-2023-42074 being actively exploited?

It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 0% (33rd percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

What products are affected by CVE-2023-42074?

CVE-2023-42074 primarily affects Pdf-xchange Pdf-tools. In total, 2 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.

How do I fix CVE-2023-42074?

Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround. Given its high severity, prioritise patching exposed systems.

Does CVE-2023-42074 have an EU (EUVD) identifier?

Yes. CVE-2023-42074 is tracked in the ENISA EU Vulnerability Database (EUVD) as EUVD-2023-46533.

When was CVE-2023-42074 published?

CVE-2023-42074 was published on 2024-05-03 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

CVE-2023-42074

CVE-2023-42074 is a high-severity vulnerability in Pdf-xchange Pdf-tools with a CVSS 3.x base score of 7.8. It is not currently listed as actively exploited by CISA, and its EPSS exploit-prediction score is low. The underlying weakness is classified as CWE-843.

Key facts

Severity: High (CVSS 3.x base score 7.8)
EPSS exploit prediction: 0% (33rd percentile)
Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
EU (EUVD) id: EUVD-2023-46533
Weakness: CWE-843
Affected product: Pdf-xchange Pdf-tools
Published: 2024-05-03
Last modified: 2026-06-17

Description

PDF-XChange Editor addScript Type Confusion Remote Code Execution Vulnerability. This vulnerability allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code 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 implementation of the addScript method. The issue results from the lack of proper validation of user-supplied data, which can result in a type confusion condition. An attacker can leverage this vulnerability to execute code in the context of the current process. Was ZDI-CAN-21338.

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2023-42074?: PDF-XChange Editor addScript Type Confusion Remote Code Execution Vulnerability. This vulnerability allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code 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 implementation of the addScript method. The issue results from the lack of proper validation of user-supplied data, which can result in a type confusion condition. An attacker can leverage this vulnerability to execute code in the context of the current process. Was ZDI-CAN-21338.
How severe is CVE-2023-42074?: CVE-2023-42074 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 7.8, rated high severity. It is exploitable over local access with low attack complexity, requires no privileges and user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is high, integrity high, and availability high.
Is CVE-2023-42074 being actively exploited?: It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 0% (33rd percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
What products are affected by CVE-2023-42074?: CVE-2023-42074 primarily affects Pdf-xchange Pdf-tools. In total, 2 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.
How do I fix CVE-2023-42074?: Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround. Given its high severity, prioritise patching exposed systems.
Does CVE-2023-42074 have an EU (EUVD) identifier?: Yes. CVE-2023-42074 is tracked in the ENISA EU Vulnerability Database (EUVD) as EUVD-2023-46533.
When was CVE-2023-42074 published?: CVE-2023-42074 was published on 2024-05-03 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

References

Affected products (2)

cpe:2.3:a:pdf-xchange:pdf-tools:9.5.368.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:pdf-xchange:pdf-xchange_editor:9.5.368.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:*

More vulnerabilities in Pdf-xchange Pdf-tools

CVE-2025-6661 — High (CVSS 7.8): PDF-XChange Editor App Object Use-After-Free Remote Code Execution Vulnerability. This vulnerability allows remote…
CVE-2025-6660 — High (CVSS 7.8): PDF-XChange Editor GIF File Parsing Heap-based Buffer Overflow Remote Code Execution Vulnerability. This vulnerability…
CVE-2025-6659 — High (CVSS 7.8): PDF-XChange Editor PRC File Parsing Out-Of-Bounds Write Remote Code Execution Vulnerability. This vulnerability allows…
CVE-2025-6654 — High (CVSS 7.8): PDF-XChange Editor PRC File Parsing Out-Of-Bounds Write Remote Code Execution Vulnerability. This vulnerability allows…
CVE-2025-6651 — High (CVSS 7.8): PDF-XChange Editor JP2 File Parsing Out-Of-Bounds Write Remote Code Execution Vulnerability. This vulnerability allows…
CVE-2025-6647 — High (CVSS 7.8): PDF-XChange Editor U3D File Parsing Out-Of-Bounds Write Remote Code Execution Vulnerability. This vulnerability allows…

All CVEs affecting Pdf-xchange Pdf-tools →

Other CWE-843 vulnerabilities

CVE-2021-33970 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): Buffer Overflow vulnerability in Qihoo 360 Chrome v13.0.2170.0 allows attacker to escalate priveleges.
CVE-2010-2299 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): The Clipboard::DispatchObject function in app/clipboard/clipboard.cc in Google Chrome before 5.0.375.70 does not…
CVE-2023-22579 — Critical (CVSS 9.9): Due to improper parameter filtering in the sequalize js library, can a attacker peform injection.
CVE-2026-13776 — Critical (CVSS 9.8): Type Confusion in Dawn in Google Chrome prior to 150.0.7871.47 allowed a remote attacker who had compromised the…
CVE-2026-43038 — Critical (CVSS 9.8): In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: ipv6: icmp: clear skb2->cb[] in…
CVE-2025-70023 — Critical (CVSS 9.8): An issue pertaining to CWE-843: Access of Resource Using Incompatible Type was discovered in transloadit uppy v0.25.6.

Browse all CWE-843 vulnerabilities →