How severe is CVE-2020-26538?

CVE-2020-26538 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-2020-26538 being actively exploited?

It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 1% (39th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

What products are affected by CVE-2020-26538?

CVE-2020-26538 primarily affects Foxitsoftware Foxit Reader. In total, 2 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.

How do I fix CVE-2020-26538?

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-2020-26538 published?

CVE-2020-26538 was published on 2020-10-02 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

CVE-2020-26538

CVE-2020-26538 is a high-severity vulnerability in Foxitsoftware Foxit Reader 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-427.

Key facts

Severity: High (CVSS 3.x base score 7.8)
CVSS v2: 4.4
EPSS exploit prediction: 1% (39th percentile)
Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
Weakness: CWE-427
Affected product: Foxitsoftware Foxit Reader
Published: 2020-10-02
Last modified: 2026-06-17

Description

An issue was discovered in Foxit Reader and PhantomPDF before 10.1. It allows attackers to execute arbitrary code via a Trojan horse taskkill.exe in the current working directory.

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2020-26538?: An issue was discovered in Foxit Reader and PhantomPDF before 10.1. It allows attackers to execute arbitrary code via a Trojan horse taskkill.exe in the current working directory.
How severe is CVE-2020-26538?: CVE-2020-26538 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-2020-26538 being actively exploited?: It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 1% (39th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
What products are affected by CVE-2020-26538?: CVE-2020-26538 primarily affects Foxitsoftware Foxit Reader. In total, 2 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.
How do I fix CVE-2020-26538?: 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-2020-26538 published?: CVE-2020-26538 was published on 2020-10-02 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

References

https://www.foxitsoftware.com/support/security-bulletins.html

Affected products (2)

cpe:2.3:a:foxitsoftware:foxit_reader:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:foxitsoftware:phantompdf:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*

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