CVE-2020-26538 : Security Advisory and Response

An issue was discovered in Foxit Reader and PhantomPDF before 10.1, allowing attackers to execute arbitrary code via a Trojan horse taskkill.exe in the current working directory.

Understanding CVE-2020-26538

This CVE identifies a vulnerability in Foxit Reader and PhantomPDF that could lead to arbitrary code execution.

What is CVE-2020-26538?

The vulnerability in Foxit Reader and PhantomPDF before version 10.1 enables attackers to execute malicious code using a specially crafted taskkill.exe file.

The Impact of CVE-2020-26538

The exploitation of this vulnerability could result in unauthorized execution of arbitrary code by an attacker, potentially leading to system compromise or data theft.

Technical Details of CVE-2020-26538

This section provides technical details about the vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

The issue in Foxit Reader and PhantomPDF allows threat actors to execute arbitrary code through a malicious taskkill.exe file placed in the current working directory.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: Foxit Reader and PhantomPDF
Versions affected: Before 10.1

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by placing a Trojan horse taskkill.exe file in the current working directory, which, when executed, triggers the arbitrary code execution.

Mitigation and Prevention

To address CVE-2020-26538, follow these mitigation steps:

Immediate Steps to Take

Update Foxit Reader and PhantomPDF to version 10.1 or later.
Avoid executing files from untrusted sources.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update software and applications to the latest versions.
Implement robust security measures to prevent unauthorized code execution.

Patching and Updates

Apply security patches provided by Foxit Software to fix the vulnerability and enhance system security.