CVE-2020-10900 in Foxit
Summary
by MITRE
This vulnerability allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code on affected installations of Foxit Reader 9.7.1.29511. 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 processing of AcroForms. 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-10142.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/06/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2020-10900 represents a critical remote code execution flaw in Foxit Reader version 9.7.1.29511 that demonstrates a classic null pointer dereference vulnerability pattern. This weakness specifically manifests within the AcroForms processing component of the PDF reader application, where the software fails to validate object existence before attempting operations on potentially uninitialized or non-existent objects. The vulnerability operates under the Common Weakness Enumeration category CWE-476 which defines NULL Pointer Dereference as a condition where a null value is dereferenced, leading to application crashes or potentially exploitable conditions. The attack vector requires user interaction through visiting a malicious webpage or opening a specially crafted malicious file, making this a typical client-side exploitation scenario that aligns with ATT&CK technique T1203 - Exploitation for Client Execution.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when Foxit Reader processes a malformed PDF document containing malicious AcroForm elements. During the parsing and rendering process, the application attempts to access an object that has not been properly initialized or validated, resulting in a null pointer dereference. This condition creates an opportunity for attackers to manipulate the execution flow and inject malicious code that executes within the context of the Foxit Reader process. The lack of proper input validation and object existence checking creates a pathway for arbitrary code execution, which can potentially lead to full system compromise depending on the privileges of the user running the application. This type of vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it leverages the trust users place in PDF documents and the legitimate functionality of PDF form processing.
The operational impact of CVE-2020-10900 extends beyond simple application instability to represent a significant threat to enterprise security infrastructure. Organizations using Foxit Reader for document processing and form handling become vulnerable to targeted attacks where adversaries can craft malicious PDF documents to exploit this flaw. The vulnerability affects not only individual users but also enterprise environments where PDF documents are frequently exchanged and processed. Security teams must consider this vulnerability as part of their attack surface analysis, particularly in environments where users have access to potentially malicious documents through email, web browsing, or file sharing systems. The vulnerability's classification under ZDI-CAN-10142 indicates it was recognized and tracked by the Zero Day Initiative, highlighting its significance in the security community and the potential for widespread exploitation.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2020-10900 should focus on immediate patching of Foxit Reader installations to version 11.0.1 or later, which contains the necessary fixes for the AcroForms processing vulnerability. Organizations should implement network-based protections such as web application firewalls and content filtering systems that can detect and block malicious PDF content before it reaches user systems. Additionally, user education and awareness programs should emphasize the importance of avoiding untrusted PDF documents and verifying document sources before opening them. Security controls should include restricting user privileges when processing documents, implementing sandboxing techniques for PDF viewing, and establishing strict access controls for PDF-related applications. The vulnerability's exploitation requires user interaction, so behavioral security controls that monitor for suspicious PDF processing activities can serve as additional defensive layers. Organizations should also consider implementing endpoint detection and response solutions that can identify anomalous execution patterns consistent with code injection attacks.