CVE-2020-13814 : Exploit Details and Defense Strategies

An issue was discovered in Foxit Reader and PhantomPDF before 9.7.1. It has a use-after-free via a document that lacks a dictionary.

Understanding CVE-2020-13814

This CVE identifies a vulnerability found in Foxit Reader and PhantomPDF versions prior to 9.7.1.

What is CVE-2020-13814?

The vulnerability in Foxit Reader and PhantomPDF allows for a use-after-free attack through a document that does not contain a dictionary.

The Impact of CVE-2020-13814

This vulnerability could be exploited by an attacker to execute arbitrary code or cause a denial of service on the affected system.

Technical Details of CVE-2020-13814

This section provides more technical insights into the CVE.

Vulnerability Description

The issue arises from a use-after-free vulnerability in Foxit Reader and PhantomPDF when processing documents without a dictionary.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: Foxit Reader and PhantomPDF
Versions affected: Before 9.7.1

Exploitation Mechanism

The vulnerability can be exploited by crafting a malicious document that lacks a dictionary, leading to a use-after-free condition.

Mitigation and Prevention

Protecting systems from CVE-2020-13814 is crucial to maintaining security.

Immediate Steps to Take

Update Foxit Reader and PhantomPDF to version 9.7.1 or later.
Exercise caution when opening PDF files from untrusted sources.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update software and applications to patch known vulnerabilities.
Implement security measures such as network segmentation and access controls.
Educate users on safe browsing habits and the risks associated with opening unknown files.

Patching and Updates

Ensure that all systems running Foxit Reader and PhantomPDF are updated to the latest version to mitigate the risk of exploitation.