CVE-2020-17414 in Foxit
Summary
by MITRE • 10/14/2020
This vulnerability allows local attackers to escalate privileges on affected installations of Foxit Reader 10.0.0.35798. An attacker must first obtain the ability to execute low-privileged code on the target system in order to exploit this vulnerability. The specific flaw exists within the handling of the configuration files used by the Foxit Reader Update Service. The issue results from incorrect permissions set on a resource used by the service. An attacker can leverage this vulnerability to escalate privileges and execute code in the context of SYSTEM. Was ZDI-CAN-11229.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/07/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2020-17414 represents a critical privilege escalation flaw within Foxit Reader version 10.0.0.35798 that demonstrates the dangerous consequences of improper access control implementation in software update mechanisms. This vulnerability falls under the CWE-276 category of Incorrect Permission Assignment for Critical Resources, highlighting how inadequate permission settings on system resources can create pathways for unauthorized privilege elevation. The flaw specifically manifests within the Foxit Reader Update Service configuration file handling, where the service fails to properly enforce access controls on critical system resources. Attackers exploiting this vulnerability must first establish a foothold with low-privileged user access, which aligns with the ATT&CK technique T1068 for Local Privilege Escalation through the exploitation of system vulnerabilities. The vulnerability's exploitation path illustrates a common attack pattern where initial access is gained through social engineering or other means, followed by privilege escalation to SYSTEM level execution.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the improper permission settings on a resource utilized by the Foxit Reader Update Service during its operation. When the update service processes configuration files, it does not adequately validate or restrict access permissions on the underlying system resources it interacts with, creating a scenario where a local attacker can manipulate or replace these resources with malicious content. This misconfiguration allows the attacker to modify or overwrite critical system components that the update service would normally manage, effectively bypassing normal security boundaries. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond simple privilege escalation as it enables full system compromise, allowing attackers to execute arbitrary code with the highest system privileges. This represents a significant security flaw in the software's defense-in-depth strategy, as the update mechanism should serve as a trusted component but instead becomes a vector for privilege elevation.
The operational impact of CVE-2020-17414 is substantial, as it transforms any local user account into a potential system compromise vector, eliminating the need for more sophisticated attack vectors that require additional reconnaissance or exploitation techniques. This vulnerability affects organizations running Foxit Reader 10.0.0.35798 where local users have the ability to execute code, which could occur through various attack vectors including phishing, drive-by downloads, or other initial compromise methods. The privilege escalation to SYSTEM level execution enables attackers to perform actions such as installing malicious software, modifying system files, accessing sensitive data, or creating persistent backdoors within the compromised system. From an enterprise security perspective, this vulnerability creates a significant risk as it allows attackers to bypass traditional user access controls and gain complete administrative control over affected systems. The vulnerability's presence in the update service component is particularly concerning as it represents an attack surface that should be highly protected and monitored for unauthorized modifications.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2020-17414 should focus on both immediate remediation and long-term security improvements to prevent similar vulnerabilities in the update service architecture. The primary mitigation involves updating to a patched version of Foxit Reader that properly implements access controls for configuration files and system resources used by the update service. Organizations should also implement network segmentation and access controls to limit the potential impact of local privilege escalation attacks, ensuring that even if an attacker gains local access, they cannot easily escalate privileges. Additional protective measures include monitoring for unusual file modifications in system directories and implementing application whitelisting to prevent unauthorized execution of malicious code. Security teams should also conduct regular vulnerability assessments of software update mechanisms to identify similar permission misconfigurations that could create similar privilege escalation pathways. The vulnerability underscores the importance of applying the principle of least privilege to all system components, particularly those involved in software updates and system maintenance operations, as these components often operate with elevated privileges and represent attractive targets for attackers seeking system compromise.