How severe is CVE-2020-24996?

CVE-2020-24996 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 7.8, rated high severity. It is exploitable over local access with low attack complexity, requires no privileges and user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is high, integrity high, and availability high.

Is CVE-2020-24996 being actively exploited?

It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 1% (60th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

What products are affected by CVE-2020-24996?

CVE-2020-24996 affects Xpdfreader Xpdf. See the affected-products list for the exact vulnerable versions.

How do I fix CVE-2020-24996?

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-2020-24996 published?

CVE-2020-24996 was published on 2020-09-03 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

CVE-2020-24996

CVE-2020-24996 is a high-severity vulnerability in Xpdfreader Xpdf with a CVSS 3.x base score of 7.8. 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-665.

Key facts

Severity: High (CVSS 3.x base score 7.8)
CVSS v2: 6.8
EPSS exploit prediction: 1% (60th percentile)
Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
Weakness: CWE-665
Affected product: Xpdfreader Xpdf
Published: 2020-09-03
Last modified: 2026-06-17

Description

There is an invalid memory access in the function TextString::~TextString() located in Catalog.cc in Xpdf 4.0.2. It can be triggered by (for example) sending a crafted pdf file to the pdftohtml binary, which allows a remote attacker to cause a Denial of Service (Segmentation fault) or possibly have unspecified other impact.

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2020-24996?: There is an invalid memory access in the function TextString::~TextString() located in Catalog.cc in Xpdf 4.0.2. It can be triggered by (for example) sending a crafted pdf file to the pdftohtml binary, which allows a remote attacker to cause a Denial of Service (Segmentation fault) or possibly have unspecified other impact.
How severe is CVE-2020-24996?: CVE-2020-24996 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 7.8, rated high severity. It is exploitable over local access with low attack complexity, requires no privileges and user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is high, integrity high, and availability high.
Is CVE-2020-24996 being actively exploited?: It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 1% (60th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
What products are affected by CVE-2020-24996?: CVE-2020-24996 affects Xpdfreader Xpdf. See the affected-products list for the exact vulnerable versions.
How do I fix CVE-2020-24996?: 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-2020-24996 published?: CVE-2020-24996 was published on 2020-09-03 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

References

https://forum.xpdfreader.com/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=42028

Affected products (1)

cpe:2.3:a:xpdfreader:xpdf:4.0.2:*:*:*:*:*:*:*

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