CVE-2020-8855 : What You Need to Know
Learn about CVE-2020-8855, a high-severity vulnerability in Foxit PhantomPDF 9.7.0.2947 allowing remote code execution. Find mitigation steps and prevention measures here.
This vulnerability allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code on affected installations of Foxit PhantomPDF 9.7.0.2947. User interaction is required to exploit this vulnerability in that the target must visit a malicious page or open a malicious file. The specific flaw exists within the fxhtml2pdf.exe module. An attacker can leverage this vulnerability to execute code in the context of the current process.
Understanding CVE-2020-8855
This CVE-2020-8855 vulnerability affects Foxit PhantomPDF version 9.7.0.2947.
What is CVE-2020-8855?
CVE-2020-8855 is a vulnerability that allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code on affected installations of Foxit PhantomPDF 9.7.0.2947. The flaw lies in the lack of validating the existence of an object before performing operations on it.
The Impact of CVE-2020-8855
The impact of this vulnerability is rated as high, with a CVSS base score of 7.8. It requires user interaction and can lead to high confidentiality, integrity, and availability impacts.
Technical Details of CVE-2020-8855
This section provides technical details of the CVE-2020-8855 vulnerability.
Vulnerability Description
The vulnerability allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code on affected installations of Foxit PhantomPDF 9.7.0.2947 by exploiting a flaw in the fxhtml2pdf.exe module.
Affected Systems and Versions
- Product: PhantomPDF
- Vendor: Foxit
- Version: 9.7.0.2947
Exploitation Mechanism
- Attack Complexity: Low
- Attack Vector: Local
- Privileges Required: None
- User Interaction: Required
- Scope: Unchanged
Mitigation and Prevention
To mitigate the risks associated with CVE-2020-8855, follow these steps:
Immediate Steps to Take
- Update Foxit PhantomPDF to a non-vulnerable version.
- Avoid visiting suspicious or untrusted websites.
- Exercise caution when opening files from unknown sources.
Long-Term Security Practices
- Regularly update software and applications to patch known vulnerabilities.
- Implement security awareness training to educate users on safe browsing practices.
Patching and Updates
Ensure that Foxit PhantomPDF is regularly updated to the latest version to address security vulnerabilities.