How severe is CVE-2016-8878?

CVE-2016-8878 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 8.8, rated high severity. It is exploitable over network with low attack complexity, requires no privileges and user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is high, integrity high, and availability high.

Is CVE-2016-8878 being actively exploited?

It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 3% (83rd percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

What products are affected by CVE-2016-8878?

CVE-2016-8878 primarily affects Foxitsoftware Phantompdf. In total, 2 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.

How do I fix CVE-2016-8878?

Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround. Given its high severity, prioritise patching exposed systems.

When was CVE-2016-8878 published?

CVE-2016-8878 was published on 2016-10-31 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

CVE-2016-8878

CVE-2016-8878 is a high-severity vulnerability in Foxitsoftware Phantompdf with a CVSS 3.x base score of 8.8. It is not currently listed as actively exploited by CISA, and its EPSS exploit-prediction score is low. The underlying weakness is classified as CWE-125.

Key facts

Severity: High (CVSS 3.x base score 8.8)
CVSS v2: 6.8
EPSS exploit prediction: 3% (83rd percentile)
Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
Weakness: CWE-125
Affected product: Foxitsoftware Phantompdf
Published: 2016-10-31
Last modified: 2026-06-17

Description

Out-of-Bounds read vulnerability in Foxit Reader and PhantomPDF before 8.1 on Windows, when the gflags app is enabled, allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a crafted BMP image embedded in the XFA stream in a PDF document, aka "Data from Faulting Address may be used as a return value starting at FOXITREADER."

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2016-8878?: Out-of-Bounds read vulnerability in Foxit Reader and PhantomPDF before 8.1 on Windows, when the gflags app is enabled, allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a crafted BMP image embedded in the XFA stream in a PDF document, aka "Data from Faulting Address may be used as a return value starting at FOXITREADER."
How severe is CVE-2016-8878?: CVE-2016-8878 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 8.8, rated high severity. It is exploitable over network with low attack complexity, requires no privileges and user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is high, integrity high, and availability high.
Is CVE-2016-8878 being actively exploited?: It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 3% (83rd percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
What products are affected by CVE-2016-8878?: CVE-2016-8878 primarily affects Foxitsoftware Phantompdf. In total, 2 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.
How do I fix CVE-2016-8878?: Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround. Given its high severity, prioritise patching exposed systems.
When was CVE-2016-8878 published?: CVE-2016-8878 was published on 2016-10-31 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

References

Affected products (2)

cpe:2.3:a:foxitsoftware:phantompdf:*:*:*:*:*:windows:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:foxitsoftware:reader:*:*:*:*:*:windows:*:*

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