CVE-2020-13806 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

An issue was discovered in Foxit Reader and PhantomPDF before 9.7.2. It has a use-after-free because of JavaScript execution after a deletion or close operation.

Understanding CVE-2020-13806

This CVE identifies a use-after-free vulnerability in Foxit Reader and PhantomPDF versions prior to 9.7.2.

What is CVE-2020-13806?

The vulnerability in Foxit Reader and PhantomPDF allows for JavaScript execution after a deletion or close operation, leading to a use-after-free scenario.

The Impact of CVE-2020-13806

Exploitation of this vulnerability could potentially allow an attacker to execute arbitrary code or cause a denial of service on the affected system.

Technical Details of CVE-2020-13806

This section provides more technical insights into the vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

The issue arises due to improper handling of JavaScript execution post deletion or close operations, resulting in a use-after-free condition.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: Foxit Reader and PhantomPDF
Versions affected: Before 9.7.2

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by executing malicious JavaScript code after a deletion or close operation, potentially leading to unauthorized code execution.

Mitigation and Prevention

To address CVE-2020-13806, follow these mitigation strategies:

Immediate Steps to Take

Update Foxit Reader and PhantomPDF to version 9.7.2 or later.
Avoid opening untrusted PDF files from unknown or suspicious sources.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update software and applications to patch known vulnerabilities.
Implement security best practices to prevent and detect malicious activities.

Patching and Updates

Apply security patches and updates provided by Foxit Software to address this vulnerability.