CVE-2020-8845
Foxit PDF Reader vulnerability analysis and mitigation

Overview

A use-after-free vulnerability (CVE-2020-8845) was discovered in Foxit PhantomPDF version 9.6.0.25114. The vulnerability was reported on September 17, 2019, and publicly disclosed on February 11, 2020 (ZDI Advisory).

Technical details

The vulnerability exists within the handling of watermarks in AcroForms. The specific flaw results from the lack of validating the existence of an object prior to performing operations on the object. The vulnerability has a CVSS score of 7.8 (AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H) (ZDI Advisory).

Impact

An attacker can leverage this vulnerability to execute arbitrary code in the context of the current process. The vulnerability requires user interaction, specifically that the target must visit a malicious page or open a malicious file (ZDI Advisory).

Mitigation and workarounds

Foxit has issued an update to correct this vulnerability. Users should update to the latest version of the software to mitigate this security risk (ZDI Advisory).

Additional resources


SourceThis report was generated using AI

Related Foxit PDF Reader vulnerabilities:

CVE ID

Severity

Score

Technologies

Component name

CISA KEV exploit

Has fix

Published date

CVE-2025-66499HIGH7.8
  • Foxit PDF ReaderFoxit PDF Reader
  • cpe:2.3:a:foxit:pdf_reader
NoYesDec 19, 2025
CVE-2025-66498HIGH7.8
  • Foxit PDF ReaderFoxit PDF Reader
  • cpe:2.3:a:foxit:pdf_reader
NoYesDec 19, 2025
CVE-2025-66497HIGH7.8
  • Foxit PDF ReaderFoxit PDF Reader
  • cpe:2.3:a:foxit:pdf_reader
NoYesDec 19, 2025
CVE-2025-66496HIGH7.8
  • Foxit PDF ReaderFoxit PDF Reader
  • cpe:2.3:a:foxit:pdf_reader
NoYesDec 19, 2025
CVE-2025-66495HIGH7.8
  • Foxit PDF ReaderFoxit PDF Reader
  • cpe:2.3:a:foxit:pdf_reader
NoYesDec 19, 2025

Free Vulnerability Assessment

Benchmark your Cloud Security Posture

Evaluate your cloud security practices across 9 security domains to benchmark your risk level and identify gaps in your defenses.

Request assessment

Get a personalized demo

Ready to see Wiz in action?

"Best User Experience I have ever seen, provides full visibility to cloud workloads."
David EstlickCISO
"Wiz provides a single pane of glass to see what is going on in our cloud environments."
Adam FletcherChief Security Officer
"We know that if Wiz identifies something as critical, it actually is."
Greg PoniatowskiHead of Threat and Vulnerability Management