CVE-2020-21896

Name: CVE-2020-21896
Creator: NVD / NIST
Published: 2023-08-22T19:16:18.793+00:00
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/

MEDIUMCVSS 5.5/10EPSS 0.45%

Last modified Jun 17, 2026

CVE-2020-21896 is a medium-severity vulnerability rated 5.5/10 on the CVSS scale. A Use After Free vulnerability in svg_dev_text_span_as_paths_defs function in source/fitz/svg-device.c in Artifex Software MuPDF 1.16.0 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service via opening of a crafted PDF file.. EPSS estimates a 0.45% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days.

Description

A Use After Free vulnerability in svg_dev_text_span_as_paths_defs function in source/fitz/svg-device.c in Artifex Software MuPDF 1.16.0 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service via opening of a crafted PDF file.

Metrics

CVSS 3.1

5.5/10

CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H

EPSS Probability

0.45%

35.5th percentile

Probability of exploitation in the next 30 days. Learn more

Weakness Enumeration

CWE-416

Affected Software

Vendor	Product	Versions
Artifex	Mupdf	1.16.0

References

http://www.ghostscript.com/cgi-bin/findgit.cgi?8719e07834d6a72b6b4131539e49ed1e8e2ff79e
https://bugs.ghostscript.com/show_bug.cgi?id=701294Exploit, Issue Tracking, Patch, Vendor Advisory
https://bugs.ghostscript.com/show_bug.cgi?id=701294Exploit, Issue Tracking, Patch, Vendor Advisory
https://lists.debian.org/debian-lts-announce/2025/08/msg00017.html

Timeline

Published: Aug 22, 2023
Last Modified: Jun 17, 2026
Status: Modified

Frequently Asked Questions

What is CVE-2020-21896?

How severe is CVE-2020-21896?

CVE-2020-21896 has a CVSS score of 5.5/10 (MEDIUM severity). The EPSS model estimates a 0.45% probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

How do I fix CVE-2020-21896?

Check the vendor references and advisories linked above for patched versions and mitigation guidance. You can also run a Strix scan to test if your systems are affected.

Are you affected by CVE-2020-21896?

Run a free Strix scan to check your systems for this vulnerability.

Scan your code now

Source: NVD / NIST