CVE-2020-9549: In PDFResurrect 0.12 through 0.19, get_type in pdf.c has an out-of-bounds write via a crafted PDF document.

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HIGH 7.8WATCHLISTUPGRADEMITIGATE

CVE-2020-9549 is a high-severity flaw (CVSS 7.8) affecting pdfresurrect, debian linux. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

In PDFResurrect 0.12 through 0.19, get_type in pdf.c has an out-of-bounds write via a crafted PDF document.

Why this priority

High severity
Public exploit reference
On your watchlist

A fixed release or distro patch exists.

Risk facts

CVSS score	7.8 (High)
Attack vector	Local
Attack complexity	Low
Privileges needed	None
User interaction	Required
EPSS exploit chance	1.4% (top 28%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-787
Published	2020-03-02
Last modified	2026-06-17

Publisher (CNA): MITRE · Vendor: debian · pdfresurrect project

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

Am I affected?

Timeline

2020-03-02 05:15 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-17 03:28 UTCUpdated Record last modified

pdfresurrect project pdfresurrect UPGRADE

Affected: >= 0.12 and <= 0.19

Fixed in: newer than 0.19

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 0.12

1. Check installed version

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

2. UPGRADE to newer than 0.19 (Debian / Ubuntu)

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

2. UPGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

sudo dnf upgrade pdfresurrect

Note

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

3. If no update is available yet, DOWNGRADE to a release before 0.12 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison pdfresurrect sudo apt install pdfresurrect=<VERSION_BEFORE_0.12> sudo apt-mark hold pdfresurrect

3. If no update is available yet, DOWNGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

dnf --showduplicates list pdfresurrect sudo dnf downgrade pdfresurrect-<VERSION_BEFORE_0.12> sudo dnf versionlock add pdfresurrect

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.

debian debian linux MITIGATE

Affected: 8.0

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 8.0

Check your OS release

cat /etc/os-release; uname -r

Debian / Ubuntu

sudo apt update && sudo apt full-upgrade

RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora

sudo dnf upgrade --refresh

Windows

Install the latest cumulative update from Windows Update

If no patch exists yet

OS downgrades are not safe. Apply the vendor mitigation from the advisory and restrict exposure.

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-2020-9549?

pdfresurrect: upgrade to newer than 0.19; debian linux: mitigate or apply the listed mitigation. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2020-9549 being exploited?

CVE-2020-9549 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-2020-9549 affect?

CVE-2020-9549 affects pdfresurrect, debian linux. Severity is high (CVSS 7.8). In PDFResurrect 0.12 through 0.19, get_type in pdf.c has an out-of-bounds write via a crafted PDF document.

How urgent is CVE-2020-9549?

Priority 55/100. High severity; Public exploit reference; On your watchlist

Software pages

Debian vulnerabilities

Related CVEs

CVE-2021-3508 MEDIUM 5.5 DOWNGRADE A flaw was found in PDFResurrect in version 0.22b
CVE-2020-20740 HIGH 7.8 UPGRADE MITIGATE PDFResurrect before 0.20 lack of header validation checks causes heap-buffer-overflow in pdf_get_version().
CVE-2019-14934 HIGH 7.8 UPGRADE MITIGATE An issue was discovered in PDFResurrect before 0.18
CVE-2019-14267 HIGH 7.8 DOWNGRADE MITIGATE PDFResurrect 0.15 has a buffer overflow via a crafted PDF file because data associated with startxref and %%EO

References

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