CVE-2019-20820 : What You Need to Know

A problem was found in versions of Foxit Reader and PhantomPDF prior to 9.7. When parsing file data, a NULL pointer dereference occurs.

Understanding CVE-2019-20820

An issue was discovered in Foxit Reader and PhantomPDF before 9.7, leading to a NULL pointer dereference during the parsing of file data.

What is CVE-2019-20820?

CVE-2019-20820 is a vulnerability in Foxit Reader and PhantomPDF versions prior to 9.7 that allows for a NULL pointer dereference when processing file data.

The Impact of CVE-2019-20820

This vulnerability could potentially lead to a denial of service (DoS) condition or arbitrary code execution by an attacker exploiting the NULL pointer dereference.

Technical Details of CVE-2019-20820

Foxit Reader and PhantomPDF versions before 9.7 are affected by this vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

The issue arises from a NULL pointer dereference during the parsing of file data in Foxit Reader and PhantomPDF.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: Foxit Reader and PhantomPDF
Versions: Prior to 9.7

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by crafting a malicious file that triggers the NULL pointer dereference when processed by the affected software.

Mitigation and Prevention

It is crucial to take immediate steps to mitigate the risks posed by CVE-2019-20820.

Immediate Steps to Take

Update Foxit Reader and PhantomPDF to version 9.7 or later to patch the vulnerability.
Exercise caution when opening files from untrusted or unknown sources.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update software and applications to the latest versions to address known vulnerabilities.
Implement network security measures to detect and prevent potential attacks.

Patching and Updates

Ensure that all systems running Foxit Reader and PhantomPDF are updated to version 9.7 or above to eliminate the vulnerability.