Stack-memory disclosure via out-of-bounds read
Published Feb 11, 2021 · Updated Sep 16, 2024
Out-of-bounds read in Adobe Acrobat Reader DC allows attackers to disclose stack memory after a malicious PDF is opened. Adobe has not disclosed the parser or memory-access operation that reads beyond its intended buffer; the exposed stack data can reveal ASLR-sensitive addresses. Exploitation requires a victim to open the crafted file, and the reported consequence is memory disclosure rather than modification or service interruption.
Summary
What happened
Out-of-bounds read in Adobe Acrobat Reader DC allows attackers to disclose stack memory after a malicious PDF is opened. Adobe has not disclosed the parser or memory-access operation that reads beyond its intended buffer; the exposed stack data can reveal ASLR-sensitive addresses. Exploitation requires a victim to open the crafted file, and the reported consequence is memory disclosure rather than modification or service interruption.
The record
- CVE
- CVE-2021-21042
- Published
- Feb 11, 2021
- Updated
- Sep 16, 2024
- Vendor
- Adobe
- Product
- Adobe Acrobat Reader
- Classifications
- CWE-125, T1204.002
- Attack vector
- network
- Privileges
- unauthenticated
Timeline
How it unfolded
- Feb 11, 2021CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
- Sep 16, 2024Record updatedLatest update available in the CVE record.
Exploitability
Present is not the same as exploitable
Compare your product and version with the public record. A matching version still requires validation against your environment.
Is a vulnerable build present?
Compare these published version ranges with your installed build and any vendor patches.
- Affected versionversion=unspecified <=2017.011.30188
- Affected versionversion=unspecified <=2020.001.30018
- Affected versionversion=unspecified <=2020.013.20074
- Affected versionversion=unspecified <=None
What conditions does exploitation require?
What is affected?
Published CVSS scores
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.
Public exploit references
No public exploit references are available in this record.
Labels summarize the accepted research assessment. They do not indicate a test against your environment.
Technologies
Your stack
See the directory against your own environment.
Your stack
Check the software in your environment
Book a demo to see how Hinoki identifies affected software and validates exploitability in your environment.
Book a demo