CVE-2020-26536 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

An issue was discovered in Foxit Reader and PhantomPDF before 10.1, leading to a NULL pointer dereference via a crafted PDF document.

Understanding CVE-2020-26536

This CVE identifies a vulnerability in Foxit Reader and PhantomPDF that could be exploited through a specially crafted PDF file.

What is CVE-2020-26536?

The vulnerability in Foxit Reader and PhantomPDF before version 10.1 allows for a NULL pointer dereference, which could potentially lead to a denial of service or arbitrary code execution.

The Impact of CVE-2020-26536

The exploitation of this vulnerability could result in a system crash, leading to a denial of service condition. In more severe cases, attackers could potentially execute arbitrary code on the affected system.

Technical Details of CVE-2020-26536

This section provides more in-depth technical details about the CVE.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability involves a NULL pointer dereference in Foxit Reader and PhantomPDF before version 10.1 when processing a maliciously crafted PDF document.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: Foxit Reader and PhantomPDF
Versions affected: Before 10.1

Exploitation Mechanism

The vulnerability can be exploited by enticing a user to open a specially crafted PDF file, triggering the NULL pointer dereference.

Mitigation and Prevention

Protecting systems from CVE-2020-26536 requires immediate action and long-term security measures.

Immediate Steps to Take

Update Foxit Reader and PhantomPDF to version 10.1 or later to mitigate the vulnerability.
Exercise caution when opening PDF files from untrusted or unknown sources.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update software and applications to the latest versions to patch known vulnerabilities.
Implement security best practices to prevent malicious PDF files from being executed.

Patching and Updates

Ensure that all software, including Foxit Reader and PhantomPDF, is regularly updated to the latest versions to address security vulnerabilities.