CVE-2019-14213 : Security Advisory and Response

A problem was found in versions of Foxit PhantomPDF prior to 8.3.11. The application may experience a crash due to issues with the signature dictionary.

Understanding CVE-2019-14213

An issue discovered in Foxit PhantomPDF before 8.3.11 could lead to application crashes due to problems with the signature dictionary.

What is CVE-2019-14213?

This CVE refers to a vulnerability in Foxit PhantomPDF versions prior to 8.3.11, where the application may crash because the signature dictionary is released multiple times during specific operations.

The Impact of CVE-2019-14213

The vulnerability could result in application crashes, potentially leading to denial of service or other security implications for users of affected versions of Foxit PhantomPDF.

Technical Details of CVE-2019-14213

Foxit PhantomPDF before version 8.3.11 is susceptible to the following:

Vulnerability Description

The issue arises from the repeated release of the signature dictionary during CSG_SignatureF and CPDF_Document destruction, causing the application to crash.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: Foxit PhantomPDF
Vendor: Foxit Software
Versions affected: Prior to 8.3.11

Exploitation Mechanism

The vulnerability can be exploited by performing specific actions that trigger the release of the signature dictionary multiple times, leading to a crash.

Mitigation and Prevention

To address CVE-2019-14213, consider the following steps:

Immediate Steps to Take

Update Foxit PhantomPDF to version 8.3.11 or later to mitigate the vulnerability.
Monitor for any unusual application behavior that could indicate a potential exploit.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update software and applications to the latest versions to patch known vulnerabilities.
Implement secure coding practices to prevent similar issues in the future.

Patching and Updates

Stay informed about security bulletins and updates from Foxit Software to address vulnerabilities promptly.