CVE-2019-6776 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

A security flaw has been identified in Foxit PhantomPDF 9.5.0.20723 that could potentially allow unauthorized individuals to execute arbitrary code on affected systems. Exploiting this vulnerability requires user interaction, such as visiting a malicious website or opening a malicious file. The vulnerability is related to the removeField method used for processing watermarks within AcroForms.

Understanding CVE-2019-6776

This CVE entry describes a high-severity vulnerability in Foxit PhantomPDF that could lead to arbitrary code execution.

What is CVE-2019-6776?

This CVE identifies a vulnerability in Foxit PhantomPDF 9.5.0.20723 that allows attackers to execute arbitrary code on affected systems by exploiting a flaw in the removeField method used for processing watermarks within AcroForms.

The Impact of CVE-2019-6776

CVSS Base Score: 7.8 (High)
Attack Vector: Local
Attack Complexity: Low
Privileges Required: None
User Interaction: Required
Confidentiality Impact: High
Integrity Impact: High
Availability Impact: High

Technical Details of CVE-2019-6776

This section provides detailed technical information about the vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability is classified as CWE-416: Use After Free. It stems from a failure to validate the existence of an object before performing operations on it.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: PhantomPDF
Vendor: Foxit
Affected Version: 9.5.0.20723

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by tricking users into visiting a malicious website or opening a malicious file, triggering the execution of arbitrary code.

Mitigation and Prevention

Protecting systems from CVE-2019-6776 requires immediate actions and long-term security practices.

Immediate Steps to Take

Update Foxit PhantomPDF to a patched version.
Avoid visiting untrusted websites or opening suspicious files.
Implement security awareness training for users to recognize phishing attempts.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update software and apply security patches promptly.
Utilize endpoint protection solutions to detect and prevent malicious activities.
Conduct regular security audits and penetration testing to identify vulnerabilities.

Patching and Updates

Foxit has released patches to address this vulnerability. Ensure that all instances of PhantomPDF are updated to the latest secure version.