CVE-2020-13804 in Foxit
Summary
by MITRE
An issue was discovered in Foxit Reader and PhantomPDF before 9.7.2. It allows information disclosure of a hardcoded username and password in the DocuSign plugin.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/22/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2020-13804 represents a critical information disclosure flaw affecting Foxit Reader and PhantomPDF versions prior to 9.7.2. This security weakness resides within the DocuSign plugin component of these PDF reading applications, where sensitive authentication credentials are hardcoded into the software's binary files. The issue stems from poor secure coding practices where developers embedded hardcoded credentials directly into the application source code or configuration files, creating a persistent security risk that remains active regardless of user actions or system updates. Such implementation violates fundamental security principles and creates an attack surface that adversaries can exploit to gain unauthorized access to systems and data.
The technical flaw manifests as a hardcoded credential storage mechanism that violates multiple security standards including CWE-798, which specifically addresses the use of hardcoded passwords and credentials in software applications. When the DocuSign plugin initializes within Foxit Reader or PhantomPDF, it automatically loads these hardcoded credentials into memory, making them accessible to any user with sufficient privileges or knowledge of the application's internal structure. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it affects the core PDF reading functionality and can be exploited without requiring any special user interaction or complex attack vectors. This type of flaw is classified under the ATT&CK technique T1552.001, which covers "Credentials In Files" and represents a common vector for credential theft in enterprise environments.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it can enable attackers to perform unauthorized actions within DocuSign environments and potentially access other systems that rely on the same authentication mechanisms. Organizations using affected versions of Foxit Reader or PhantomPDF face significant risks including data breaches, unauthorized document signing, and potential lateral movement within their networks. The hardcoded nature of these credentials means that even if users change their passwords or implement additional security measures, the embedded credentials remain valid and exploitable. This vulnerability particularly affects enterprises that rely heavily on document signing workflows and digital signatures, as it essentially provides attackers with persistent access credentials that can be used to impersonate legitimate users within the DocuSign ecosystem.
Organizations should immediately implement mitigations including updating to Foxit Reader and PhantomPDF version 9.7.2 or later, which contains the necessary patches to address this credential exposure. Security teams should also conduct comprehensive scans of their networks to identify any instances of affected software versions and perform credential rotation for all DocuSign-related accounts. Additional protective measures include implementing network segmentation to limit access to sensitive systems, monitoring for unauthorized access attempts, and conducting regular security assessments to identify similar hardcoded credential issues within other applications. The remediation process should also include reviewing and updating software development practices to ensure that future applications do not incorporate hardcoded credentials, adhering to secure coding guidelines that prevent such vulnerabilities from being introduced in the first place.