CVE-2020-9359Public exploit

Code execution via unchecked PDF action links

Published Mar 24, 2020 · Updated Aug 4, 2024

Improper input validation in KDE Okular before 1.10.0 allows attackers to execute local binaries through crafted PDF action links. Document::processAction passes a file URL from a PDF action to the desktop opener without first rejecting executable targets. Opening the document and activating the link is sufficient; automated form actions need acceptance, and damaging execution requires a separately placed binary because arguments cannot be supplied.

CVSS severity5.3
Medium
EPSS probability1.45%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
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Summary

What happened

Improper input validation in KDE Okular before 1.10.0 allows attackers to execute local binaries through crafted PDF action links. Document::processAction passes a file URL from a PDF action to the desktop opener without first rejecting executable targets. Opening the document and activating the link is sufficient; automated form actions need acceptance, and damaging execution requires a separately placed binary because arguments cannot be supplied.

The record

CVE
CVE-2020-9359
Published
Mar 24, 2020
Updated
Aug 4, 2024
Vendor
Unknown vendor
Product
Unknown product
Classifications
CWE-20, T1204.002
Attack vector
local
Privileges
unauthenticated

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Mar 24, 2020CVE 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?

Affected buildAffected product and version details are unavailable.

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectorlocal
Required privilegesunauthenticated

What is affected?

Affected products and versions are unavailable in this record.

Published CVSS scores

5.3NVDCVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:L/I:L/A:L
6.8NVDAV:N/AC:M/Au:N/C:P/I:P/A:P

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.

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No observations available

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

Weakness, pattern, technique

CWE-20Improper Input Validation
T1204.002Malicious File

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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