CVE-2020-8855 Use after free in PhantomPDF

High 7.8 Published 13 Feb 2020 Updated 4 Aug 2024

Remote attackers can execute arbitrary code via a malicious file in Foxit PhantomPDF due to a use-after-free flaw in the fxhtml2pdf.exe module.

Exploited in the wild: Not known
Login needed: Not needed
Attackable: Local or same network only
Victim action needed: A user has to click or open something
Fix: None listed

What is CVE-2020-8855?

CVE-2020-8855 is a high-severity use after free vulnerability in Foxitsoftware Phantompdf, published on 13 Feb 2020. It can only be exploited from the same machine or local network, and only if a user opens a file or follows a link.

Official description

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. The issue results from the lack of validating the existence of an object prior to performing operations on the object. An attacker can leverage this vulnerability to execute code in the context of the current process. Was ZDI-CAN-9560.

Weakness: CWE-416

Which versions are affected by CVE-2020-8855?

It affects 2 products.

Products include Foxitsoftware Phantompdf, Foxitsoftware Reader.

How do I fix CVE-2020-8855?

No fix has been published for CVE-2020-8855 yet. Limit exposure of the affected software until one is available.

Upgrade to the fixed version. These bugs are found with fuzzing and sanitisers and avoided by memory-safe languages. More about Use after free.

Is CVE-2020-8855 being exploited?

There is no known exploitation of CVE-2020-8855 in the wild and no public exploit code.

All Foxitsoftware Phantompdf vulnerabilities

Sources

Also known as GHSA-cfph-9cg2-p9hf.