CVE-2021-39855Network attack vector

NTLMv2 credential disclosure via src parameter

Published Sep 29, 2021 · Updated Sep 16, 2024

Information disclosure in Adobe Acrobat Reader DC through 2021.005.20060 allows remote attackers to obtain NTLMv2 credentials via crafted files or web pages. The ActiveX control processes an attacker-supplied src parameter and triggers outbound Windows authentication, disclosing the victim's NTLMv2 challenge response to the attacker. Exploitation requires the victim to open a malicious Microsoft Office file or visit an attacker-controlled web page; the documented impact is credential disclosure without integrity or availability impact.

CVSS severity6.5
Medium
EPSS probability2.36%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
Coverage for this vulnerability

See if you're affected

Explore vulnerability checks for your environment with Hinoki.

Book a demo

Summary

What happened

Information disclosure in Adobe Acrobat Reader DC through 2021.005.20060 allows remote attackers to obtain NTLMv2 credentials via crafted files or web pages. The ActiveX control processes an attacker-supplied src parameter and triggers outbound Windows authentication, disclosing the victim's NTLMv2 challenge response to the attacker. Exploitation requires the victim to open a malicious Microsoft Office file or visit an attacker-controlled web page; the documented impact is credential disclosure without integrity or availability impact.

The record

CVE
CVE-2021-39855
Published
Sep 29, 2021
Updated
Sep 16, 2024
Vendor
Adobe
Product
Adobe Acrobat Reader
Classifications
CWE-200, T1187
Attack vector
network
Privileges
unauthenticated

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

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.

  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 vectornetwork
Required privilegesunauthenticated

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

4.3NVDAV:N/AC:M/Au:N/C:P/I:N/A:N
6.5Adobe Systems IncorporatedCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:N

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 10, 2026Sep 16, 2026
Latest reporting daySep 16, 2026
Latest daily unique IPsUnavailable
Prior 30-day averageUnavailable
SourceShadowserver honeypots (KEV)
Vectornetwork
Privilegesunauthenticated
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Public exploitUnconfirmed

Weakness, pattern, technique

CWE-200Exposure of Sensitive Information to an Unauthorized Actor
T1187Forced Authentication

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