CVE-2018-20311 Explained : Impact and Mitigation
Learn about CVE-2018-20311, a critical race condition vulnerability in Foxit Reader and PhantomPDF versions before specific releases, leading to stack-based buffer overflow or out-of-bounds read.
A race condition in Foxit Reader versions prior to 9.5 and PhantomPDF versions prior to 8.3.10 and 9.x versions prior to 9.5, involving proxyCPDFAction, may result in a stack-based buffer overflow or an out-of-bounds read.
Understanding CVE-2018-20311
This CVE involves a race condition in Foxit Reader and PhantomPDF versions that can lead to critical security issues.
What is CVE-2018-20311?
CVE-2018-20311 is a vulnerability in Foxit Reader and PhantomPDF versions before specific releases, causing a race condition that can result in a stack-based buffer overflow or an out-of-bounds read.
The Impact of CVE-2018-20311
The vulnerability can be exploited to execute arbitrary code, leading to potential system compromise and unauthorized access to sensitive information.
Technical Details of CVE-2018-20311
This section provides more technical insights into the vulnerability.
Vulnerability Description
A race condition in Foxit Reader and PhantomPDF versions can trigger a stack-based buffer overflow or an out-of-bounds read, posing a severe security risk.
Affected Systems and Versions
- Foxit Reader versions before 9.5
- PhantomPDF versions before 8.3.10 and 9.x versions before 9.5
Exploitation Mechanism
The vulnerability is exploited through the proxyCPDFAction, allowing attackers to potentially execute malicious code and compromise the system.
Mitigation and Prevention
Protecting systems from CVE-2018-20311 requires immediate actions and long-term security practices.
Immediate Steps to Take
- Update Foxit Reader and PhantomPDF to the latest versions that contain security patches.
- Implement network segmentation to limit the impact of potential attacks.
Long-Term Security Practices
- Regularly monitor security bulletins and updates from software vendors.
- Conduct security assessments and penetration testing to identify and address vulnerabilities proactively.
Patching and Updates
- Apply security patches provided by Foxit Software to address the CVE-2018-20311 vulnerability and enhance system security.