CVE-2021-35980

Code execution via SpellDictionaryExport path traversal

Published Sep 6, 2023 · Updated Aug 4, 2024

Path traversal in Adobe Acrobat Reader 2021.005.20054 and earlier allows attackers to execute code via a malicious file. The flaw is associated with SpellDictionaryExport, but Adobe has not disclosed how that component mishandles the crafted path. A victim must open the file, after which code runs with the victim's privileges on Windows or macOS.

CVSS severity7.8
High
EPSS probability0.40%
Next 30 days · Sep 17, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
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Summary

What happened

Path traversal in Adobe Acrobat Reader 2021.005.20054 and earlier allows attackers to execute code via a malicious file. The flaw is associated with SpellDictionaryExport, but Adobe has not disclosed how that component mishandles the crafted path. A victim must open the file, after which code runs with the victim's privileges on Windows or macOS.

The record

CVE
CVE-2021-35980
Published
Sep 6, 2023
Updated
Aug 4, 2024
Vendor
Adobe
Product
Adobe Acrobat Reader
Classifications
CWE-22, T1204.002
Attack vector
local
Privileges
unauthenticated

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Sep 6, 2023CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
  2. Aug 4, 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.

  1. Affected versionversion=0 <=2021.005.20054

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectorlocal
Required privilegesunauthenticated

What is affected?

Adobe · Adobe Acrobat Readerversion=0 <=2021.005.20054

Published CVSS scores

7.8AdobeCVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

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.

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No observations available

Sep 11, 2026Sep 17, 2026
Latest reporting daySep 17, 2026
Latest daily unique IPsUnavailable
Prior 30-day averageUnavailable
SourceShadowserver honeypots (KEV)
Vectorlocal
Privilegesunauthenticated
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Public exploitUnconfirmed

Weakness, pattern, technique

CWE-22Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory ('Path Traversal')
T1204.002Malicious File

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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