CVE-2020-8856 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

A vulnerability in Foxit PhantomPDF 9.6.0.25608 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code, posing a high risk to confidentiality, integrity, and availability.

Understanding CVE-2020-8856

This CVE involves a critical vulnerability in Foxit PhantomPDF that requires user interaction to exploit, potentially leading to code execution.

What is CVE-2020-8856?

This vulnerability in Foxit PhantomPDF 9.6.0.25608 enables remote attackers to execute arbitrary code by exploiting a flaw in handling watermarks. User interaction is necessary, such as visiting a malicious page or opening a malicious file.

The Impact of CVE-2020-8856

The vulnerability has a high severity level, affecting confidentiality, integrity, and availability. Attackers can execute code within the current process, leading to potential system compromise.

Technical Details of CVE-2020-8856

This section provides detailed technical information about the CVE.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability arises from the lack of validating the existence of an object before performing operations on it, specifically within the watermark handling process.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: PhantomPDF
Vendor: Foxit
Version: 9.6.0.25608

Exploitation Mechanism

Attack Complexity: Low
Attack Vector: Local
Privileges Required: None
User Interaction: Required
Scope: Unchanged
Vector String: CVSS:3.0/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

Mitigation and Prevention

Protecting systems from CVE-2020-8856 requires immediate actions and long-term security practices.

Immediate Steps to Take

Update Foxit PhantomPDF to the latest version.
Avoid visiting suspicious or untrusted websites.
Exercise caution when opening files from unknown sources.

Long-Term Security Practices

Implement regular security training for users to recognize phishing attempts.
Employ network and endpoint security solutions to detect and prevent malicious activities.

Patching and Updates

Stay informed about security bulletins from Foxit.
Apply patches and updates promptly to address known vulnerabilities.