CVE-2020-23874: pdf2xml v2.0 was discovered to contain a heap-buffer overflow in the function TextPage::addAttributsNode.

This week

CRITICAL 9.8REMOTEDOWNGRADE

CVE-2020-23874 is a critical-severity flaw (CVSS 9.8) affecting pdf2xml. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

pdf2xml v2.0 was discovered to contain a heap-buffer overflow in the function TextPage::addAttributsNode.

Why this priority

Critical severity
Public exploit reference
Remotely exploitable, no login, no user action

No fix is published yet: follow the downgrade or mitigation steps.

Risk facts

CVSS score	9.8 (Critical)
Attack vector	Network (remote)
Attack complexity	Low
Privileges needed	None
User interaction	None
EPSS exploit chance	2.1% (top 18%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-787
Published	2021-11-10
Last modified	2026-06-17

Publisher (CNA): MITRE · Vendor: science-miner

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

Am I affected?

Timeline

2021-11-10 22:15 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-17 03:05 UTCUpdated Record last modified

science-miner pdf2xml DOWNGRADE

Affected: 2.0

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 2.0

1. Check installed version

apt-cache policy pdf2xml || rpm -q pdf2xml || pdf2xml --version

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE to a release before 2.0 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison pdf2xml sudo apt install pdf2xml=<VERSION_BEFORE_2.0> sudo apt-mark hold pdf2xml

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

dnf --showduplicates list pdf2xml sudo dnf downgrade pdf2xml-<VERSION_BEFORE_2.0> sudo dnf versionlock add pdf2xml

Downgrade risk

Downgrading can break dependent software and may reopen older bugs. Read the distro advisory first and test on a non-production host.

After downgrade

Restart the service, and keep the package held until a fixed release ships.

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-2020-23874?

pdf2xml: downgrade or apply the listed mitigation. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2020-23874 being exploited?

CVE-2020-23874 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-2020-23874 affect?

CVE-2020-23874 affects pdf2xml. Severity is critical (CVSS 9.8). pdf2xml v2.0 was discovered to contain a heap-buffer overflow in the function TextPage::addAttributsNode.

How urgent is CVE-2020-23874?

Priority 65/100. Critical severity; Public exploit reference; Remotely exploitable, no login, no user action

Related CVEs

CVE-2020-23877 CRITICAL 9.8 DOWNGRADE pdf2xml v2.0 was discovered to contain a stack buffer overflow in the component getObjectStream.
CVE-2020-23876 HIGH 7.5 DOWNGRADE pdf2xml v2.0 was discovered to contain a memory leak in the function TextPage::testLinkedText.
CVE-2020-23873 CRITICAL 9.8 DOWNGRADE pdf2xml v2.0 was discovered to contain a heap-buffer overflow in the function TextPage::dump.
CVE-2020-23872 HIGH 7.5 DOWNGRADE A NULL pointer dereference in the function TextPage::restoreState of pdf2xml v2.0 allows attackers to cause a

References

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