CVE-2021-35982

Local code execution via planted installer DLL

Published Sep 29, 2021 · Updated Sep 16, 2024

DLL search-path hijacking in Adobe Acrobat Reader 2021.005.20060 and earlier allows local users to execute code as the current user. The Windows installer loads a planted malicious DLL through an uncontrolled search path; Classic 2020 2020.004.30006 and Classic 2017 2017.011.30199 and earlier are also affected. A non-administrative local user must plant the DLL and induce user interaction; execution remains in the affected user's context.

CVSS severity7.3
High
EPSS probability1.77%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
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Summary

What happened

DLL search-path hijacking in Adobe Acrobat Reader 2021.005.20060 and earlier allows local users to execute code as the current user. The Windows installer loads a planted malicious DLL through an uncontrolled search path; Classic 2020 2020.004.30006 and Classic 2017 2017.011.30199 and earlier are also affected. A non-administrative local user must plant the DLL and induce user interaction; execution remains in the affected user's context.

The record

CVE
CVE-2021-35982
Published
Sep 29, 2021
Updated
Sep 16, 2024
Vendor
Adobe
Product
Adobe Acrobat Reader
Classifications
CWE-427, T1574.001
Attack vector
local
Privileges
authenticated

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Sep 29, 2021CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
  2. 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.

  1. Affected versionversion=unspecified <=2017.011.30199
  2. Affected versionversion=unspecified <=2020.004.30006
  3. Affected versionversion=unspecified <=2021.005.20060
  4. Affected versionversion=unspecified <=None

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectorlocal
Required privilegesauthenticated

What is affected?

Adobe · Adobe Acrobat Readerversion=unspecified <=2017.011.30199; version=unspecified <=2020.004.30006; version=unspecified <=2021.005.20060; version=unspecified <=None

Published CVSS scores

7.3NIST NVDCVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
7.3Adobe Systems IncorporatedCVSS:3.0/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
4.4NIST NVDAV:L/AC:M/Au:N/C:P/I:P/A:P

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.

Daily unique IPsNo honeypot observations are available for this CVE in the selected window.

No observations available

Sep 9, 2026Sep 15, 2026
Latest reporting daySep 15, 2026
Latest daily unique IPsUnavailable
Prior 30-day averageUnavailable
SourceShadowserver honeypots (KEV)
Vectorlocal
Privilegesauthenticated
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Public exploitUnconfirmed

Weakness, pattern, technique

CWE-427Uncontrolled Search Path Element
T1574.001DLL Search Order Hijacking

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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