CVE-2020-12248: In Foxit Reader and PhantomPDF before 10.0.1, and PhantomPDF before 9.7.3, attackers can execute arbitrary cod

Q: How do I fix CVE-2020-12248?

phantompdf: upgrade to newer than 10.0.0.35798; reader: upgrade to newer than 10.0.0.35798. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Q: Is CVE-2020-12248 being exploited?

CVE-2020-12248 is not on the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities list at the time of the last update. Check again, as this can change.

Q: What does CVE-2020-12248 affect?

CVE-2020-12248 affects phantompdf, reader. Severity is high (CVSS 8.8). In Foxit Reader and PhantomPDF before 10.0.1, and PhantomPDF before 9.7.3, attackers can execute arbitrary code via a heap-based buffer overflow because dirty image-resource data is mishandled.

This month

HIGH 8.8UPGRADEUPGRADE

CVE-2020-12248 is a high-severity flaw (CVSS 8.8) affecting phantompdf, reader. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

In Foxit Reader and PhantomPDF before 10.0.1, and PhantomPDF before 9.7.3, attackers can execute arbitrary code via a heap-based buffer overflow because dirty image-resource data is mishandled.

Why this priority

High severity

A fixed release or distro patch exists.

Risk facts

CVSS score	8.8 (High)
Attack vector	Network (remote)
Attack complexity	Low
Privileges needed	None
User interaction	Required
EPSS exploit chance	1.8% (top 22%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-787
Published	2020-09-04
Last modified	2026-06-17

Publisher (CNA): MITRE · Vendor: foxitsoftware

Last updated 2026-06-17 · Sources: CVE Program, NVD, CISA KEV, EPSS and vendor advisories · How we score

Am I affected?

Timeline

2020-09-04 04:15 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-17 02:51 UTCUpdated Record last modified

foxitsoftware phantompdf UPGRADE

Affected: <= 9.7.2.29539 · <= 10.0.0.35798

Fixed in: newer than 10.0.0.35798

Safe to downgrade to: no unaffected older release

1. Check installed version

apt-cache policy phantompdf || rpm -q phantompdf || phantompdf --version

2. UPGRADE to newer than 10.0.0.35798 (Debian / Ubuntu)

sudo apt update && sudo apt install --only-upgrade phantompdf

2. UPGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

sudo dnf upgrade phantompdf

Note

Distros often backport fixes without changing the version number. Confirm with the distro advisory or changelog.

foxitsoftware reader UPGRADE

Affected: <= 10.0.0.35798

Fixed in: newer than 10.0.0.35798

Safe to downgrade to: no unaffected older release

1. Check installed version

apt-cache policy reader || rpm -q reader || reader --version

2. UPGRADE to newer than 10.0.0.35798 (Debian / Ubuntu)

sudo apt update && sudo apt install --only-upgrade reader

2. UPGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

sudo dnf upgrade reader

Note

Distros often backport fixes without changing the version number. Confirm with the distro advisory or changelog.

Verify at the official source NVD · CVE Program · Report a problem with this page
Scores and fixes here are computed automatically from those and other public sources. Confirm with the vendor advisory before changing production systems.

Quick answers

How do I fix CVE-2020-12248?

phantompdf: upgrade to newer than 10.0.0.35798; reader: upgrade to newer than 10.0.0.35798. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2020-12248 being exploited?

CVE-2020-12248 is not on the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities list at the time of the last update. Check again, as this can change.

What does CVE-2020-12248 affect?

CVE-2020-12248 affects phantompdf, reader. Severity is high (CVSS 8.8). In Foxit Reader and PhantomPDF before 10.0.1, and PhantomPDF before 9.7.3, attackers can execute arbitrary code via a heap-based buffer overflow because dirty image-resource data is mishandled.

How urgent is CVE-2020-12248?

Priority 50/100. High severity

Related CVEs

CVE-2022-25641 MEDIUM 5.5 UPGRADE UPGRADE Foxit PDF Reader before 11.2.2 and PDF Editor before 11.2.2, and PhantomPDF before 10.1.8, mishandle cross-ref
CVE-2021-41785 HIGH 7.8 UPGRADE UPGRADE Foxit PDF Reader before 11.1 and PDF Editor before 11.1, and PhantomPDF before 10.1.6, allow attackers to trig
CVE-2021-41784 HIGH 7.8 UPGRADE UPGRADE Foxit PDF Reader before 11.1 and PDF Editor before 11.1, and PhantomPDF before 10.1.6, allow attackers to trig
CVE-2021-41783 HIGH 7.8 UPGRADE UPGRADE Foxit PDF Reader before 11.1 and PDF Editor before 11.1, and PhantomPDF before 10.1.6, allow attackers to trig
CVE-2021-41782 HIGH 7.8 UPGRADE UPGRADE Foxit PDF Reader before 11.1 and PDF Editor before 11.1, and PhantomPDF before 10.1.6, allow attackers to trig

References

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