CVE-2019-20833 in PhantomPDF
Summary
by MITRE
An issue was discovered in Foxit PhantomPDF before 8.3.10. It has mishandling of cloud credentials, as demonstrated by Google Drive.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/22/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-20833 represents a critical security flaw in Foxit PhantomPDF software versions prior to 8.3.10, specifically concerning the improper handling of cloud credentials within the application's integration with Google Drive services. This issue falls under the broader category of credential management vulnerabilities that can lead to unauthorized access and data compromise. The flaw manifests when users attempt to utilize cloud storage integration features, particularly with Google Drive, where the application fails to properly secure or validate authentication tokens and credentials.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate credential validation mechanisms within the PDF reader's cloud integration framework. When users connect their Google Drive accounts to PhantomPDF, the application should properly authenticate and securely store access tokens. However, the flawed implementation allows for potential credential leakage or improper handling of authentication data, creating opportunities for attackers to exploit the system. This mismanagement can occur during the initial authentication process, credential storage, or subsequent access operations where the application fails to maintain proper security boundaries around sensitive authentication information.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability poses significant risks to organizations relying on Foxit PhantomPDF for document management and collaboration. The impact extends beyond individual user accounts to potentially compromise entire cloud storage ecosystems when attackers exploit the credential mishandling. Security professionals should note that this vulnerability aligns with CWE-522, which specifically addresses insufficiently protected credentials, and can be categorized under ATT&CK technique T1078 for valid accounts and T1531 for credential stuffing attacks. The vulnerability essentially creates a backdoor through which unauthorized parties can access cloud-stored documents and potentially escalate privileges within the cloud environment.
Organizations should immediately implement mitigations including mandatory software updates to Foxit PhantomPDF version 8.3.10 or later, which contains the necessary patches to address the credential handling issues. Network administrators should also consider implementing additional monitoring for suspicious authentication patterns and credential usage within cloud environments. Security teams should conduct thorough assessments of existing cloud integrations and credential storage practices to identify potential exploitation vectors. The remediation process should include comprehensive testing of updated configurations and verification that proper credential handling mechanisms are functioning correctly. Additionally, organizations should review their incident response procedures to ensure readiness for potential exploitation attempts targeting this specific vulnerability in their document management workflows.