CVE-2020-13805 : What You Need to Know

An issue was discovered in Foxit Reader and PhantomPDF before 9.7.2 due to brute-force attack mishandling in the CAS service.

Understanding CVE-2020-13805

This CVE involves a vulnerability in Foxit Reader and PhantomPDF that allows for brute-force attacks due to a lack of login failure limits in the CAS service.

What is CVE-2020-13805?

The vulnerability in Foxit Reader and PhantomPDF before version 9.7.2 enables attackers to perform brute-force attacks by exploiting the absence of login failure restrictions in the CAS service.

The Impact of CVE-2020-13805

This vulnerability could lead to unauthorized access to sensitive information, compromise of user accounts, and potential data breaches.

Technical Details of CVE-2020-13805

The technical aspects of this CVE include:

Vulnerability Description

Foxit Reader and PhantomPDF before 9.7.2 are susceptible to brute-force attacks due to the lack of login failure limits in the CAS service.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: Foxit Reader and PhantomPDF
Vendor: Foxit Software
Versions affected: All versions before 9.7.2

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers can repeatedly attempt to log in without any restrictions on the number of failed login attempts, allowing them to guess passwords and gain unauthorized access.

Mitigation and Prevention

To address CVE-2020-13805, consider the following steps:

Immediate Steps to Take

Update Foxit Reader and PhantomPDF to version 9.7.2 or later to mitigate the vulnerability.
Implement strong password policies and multi-factor authentication to enhance security.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly monitor login attempts and implement account lockout mechanisms after multiple failed login attempts.
Conduct security awareness training to educate users on the risks of weak passwords and the importance of secure login practices.

Patching and Updates

Stay informed about security bulletins and updates from Foxit Software to promptly apply patches and address any new vulnerabilities.