CVE-2020-10902 in PhantomPDF
Summary
by MITRE
This vulnerability allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code on affected installations of Foxit PhantomPDF 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 handling of U3D objects in PDF files. The issue results from the lack of proper validation of user-supplied data, which can result in a read past the end of an allocated structure. An attacker can leverage this vulnerability to execute code in the context of the current process. Was ZDI-CAN-10462.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/07/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2020-10902 represents a critical remote code execution flaw in Foxit PhantomPDF version 9.7.1.29511 that demonstrates the dangerous consequences of inadequate input validation within PDF processing software. This vulnerability operates through the manipulation of Universal 3D (U3D) objects embedded within PDF documents, which are three-dimensional graphics formats that can be rendered within PDF viewers. The flaw exists in how the software processes these U3D objects without proper bounds checking, creating a scenario where maliciously crafted data can cause memory access violations that ultimately enable arbitrary code execution.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-125, which describes "Out-of-bounds Read" conditions where programs access memory locations beyond the intended buffer boundaries. The vulnerability occurs during the parsing of U3D objects within PDF files, where the software fails to validate the size and structure of user-supplied data before attempting to read from allocated memory regions. This improper validation allows attackers to craft malicious PDF files containing specially constructed U3D objects that trigger memory corruption when processed by the vulnerable software. The read past the end of an allocated structure creates a predictable memory access pattern that attackers can exploit to overwrite critical memory locations and redirect program execution flow.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents a significant risk to organizations relying on Foxit PhantomPDF for document processing, as it requires only a single user interaction to achieve remote code execution. The attack vector necessitates either the user visiting a malicious webpage hosting a crafted PDF file or opening a malicious PDF document directly, making it particularly dangerous in phishing campaigns or targeted attacks. The exploitation occurs in the context of the current process, meaning that successful exploitation would allow attackers to execute code with the same privileges as the PDF viewer application, potentially leading to complete system compromise. This vulnerability directly maps to ATT&CK technique T1203, which covers "Exploitation for Client Execution" and demonstrates how attackers can leverage application vulnerabilities to execute malicious code on target systems.
The implications extend beyond immediate code execution to encompass broader security implications within enterprise environments where PDF processing is common. Organizations using Foxit PhantomPDF are particularly vulnerable as the attack requires minimal user interaction beyond normal document handling behaviors, making it difficult to detect and prevent through traditional security measures. The vulnerability's classification as a remote code execution flaw means that attackers can potentially compromise systems without physical access or complex social engineering beyond convincing users to open malicious documents. Mitigation strategies should include immediate patching of affected software versions, implementation of PDF content filtering, and user education regarding the dangers of opening untrusted PDF files. Additionally, organizations should consider network-level controls to prevent access to known malicious domains and implement sandboxing techniques for PDF processing to contain potential exploitation attempts and limit the damage that can occur from successful attacks.