Arbitrary code execution via XFA use-after-free
Published Aug 24, 2021 · Updated Sep 16, 2024
Use-after-free in Adobe Acrobat Reader DC through version 2021.001.20155 and earlier allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a malicious PDF. XFA template handling operates on an object without validating that the object still exists, producing a dangling-object access that can be leveraged for code execution in the current reader process. Exploitation requires a victim to open the malicious file or visit a malicious page; no authentication is required, but user interaction is mandatory.
Summary
What happened
Use-after-free in Adobe Acrobat Reader DC through version 2021.001.20155 and earlier allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a malicious PDF. XFA template handling operates on an object without validating that the object still exists, producing a dangling-object access that can be leveraged for code execution in the current reader process. Exploitation requires a victim to open the malicious file or visit a malicious page; no authentication is required, but user interaction is mandatory.
The record
- CVE
- CVE-2021-28552
- Published
- Aug 24, 2021
- Updated
- Sep 16, 2024
- Vendor
- Adobe
- Product
- Adobe Acrobat Reader
- Classifications
- CWE-416, T1203
- Attack vector
- local
- Privileges
- unauthenticated
Timeline
How it unfolded
- Aug 24, 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
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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 <=2017.011.30196
- Affected versionversion=unspecified <=2020.001.30025
- Affected versionversion=unspecified <=2021.001.20155
- 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.
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Technologies
Your stack
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Your stack
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