Arbitrary code execution via PDF parsing buffer overflow
Published Feb 11, 2021 · Updated Sep 17, 2024
Buffer overflow in Adobe Acrobat Reader allows attackers to execute arbitrary code in the current user's context via a crafted PDF file. The PDF parser corrupts memory while processing attacker-controlled file content, but Adobe has not disclosed the affected parser component or precise overwrite operation. Exploitation requires a victim to open the malicious file; Adobe lists affected Windows and macOS builds on the DC, 2020, and 2017 tracks.
Summary
What happened
Buffer overflow in Adobe Acrobat Reader allows attackers to execute arbitrary code in the current user's context via a crafted PDF file. The PDF parser corrupts memory while processing attacker-controlled file content, but Adobe has not disclosed the affected parser component or precise overwrite operation. Exploitation requires a victim to open the malicious file; Adobe lists affected Windows and macOS builds on the DC, 2020, and 2017 tracks.
The record
- CVE
- CVE-2021-21063
- Published
- Feb 11, 2021
- Updated
- Sep 17, 2024
- Vendor
- Adobe
- Product
- Adobe Acrobat Reader
- Classifications
- CWE-787, T1204.002, T1203
- Attack vector
- local
- Privileges
- unauthenticated
Timeline
How it unfolded
- Feb 11, 2021CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
- Sep 17, 2024Record updatedLatest update available in the CVE record.
Exploitability
Present is not the same as exploitable
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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.
Weakness, pattern, technique
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
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Your stack
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