CVE-2020-13548Public exploitNetwork attack vector

Code execution via freed fileSelect field reuse

Published Feb 10, 2021 · Updated Aug 4, 2024

Use-after-free in Foxit PDF Reader 10.1.0.37527 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code through a crafted PDF. The JavaScript engine frees a text field when removeField runs during its Validate event, then continues using the field's objects and dereferences a freed vtable. Exploitation requires opening the malicious document, or visiting a malicious site when the browser plugin is enabled, and can run code in the reader process.

CVSS severity8.0
High
EPSS probability65.80%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
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Summary

What happened

Use-after-free in Foxit PDF Reader 10.1.0.37527 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code through a crafted PDF. The JavaScript engine frees a text field when removeField runs during its Validate event, then continues using the field's objects and dereferences a freed vtable. Exploitation requires opening the malicious document, or visiting a malicious site when the browser plugin is enabled, and can run code in the reader process.

The record

CVE
CVE-2020-13548
Published
Feb 10, 2021
Updated
Aug 4, 2024
Vendor
Foxit Software
Product
Foxit PDF Reader
Classifications
CWE-416, T1204.002, T1203
Attack vector
network
Privileges
unauthenticated

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Feb 10, 2021CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
  2. Aug 4, 2024Record updatedLatest update available in the CVE record.

Exploitability

Present is not the same as exploitable

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Is a vulnerable build present?

Compare these published version ranges with your installed build and any vendor patches.

  1. Affected versionversion=Foxit Reader Version: 10.1.0.37527

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectornetwork
Required privilegesunauthenticated

What is affected?

Foxit Software · Foxit PDF Readerversion=Foxit Reader Version: 10.1.0.37527

Published CVSS scores

8.0Cisco TalosCVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

CVSS describes severity. EPSS estimates exploitation probability.

Attacks

What attackers are doing with it

Daily unique IPs observed by Shadowserver honeypots for known exploited vulnerabilities (KEVs). Missing observations do not establish an absence of attacks.

Daily unique IPsNo honeypot observations are available for this CVE in the selected window.

No observations available

Sep 10, 2026Sep 16, 2026
Latest reporting daySep 16, 2026
Latest daily unique IPsUnavailable
Prior 30-day averageUnavailable
SourceShadowserver honeypots (KEV)
Vectornetwork
Privilegesunauthenticated
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Public exploitPublished

Weakness, pattern, technique

CWE-416Use After Free
T1204.002Malicious File
T1203Exploitation for Client Execution

Public exploit references

Labels summarize the accepted research assessment. They do not indicate a test against your environment.

Technologies

Your stack

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Your stack

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