CVE-2021-44705

Information disclosure via unchecked JP2 object

Published Jan 14, 2022 · Updated Sep 16, 2024

Use-after-free in JP2 image parsing in Adobe Acrobat Reader 21.007.20099 and earlier allows remote attackers to disclose process data via a malicious file. The parser performs operations on a JP2 object without first validating that the object exists, leaving stale object state accessible during image processing. Exploitation requires a victim to visit a malicious page or open a malicious file; the disclosure can support a separate code-execution chain in the current process.

CVSS severity7.8
High
EPSS probability7.41%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
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Summary

What happened

Use-after-free in JP2 image parsing in Adobe Acrobat Reader 21.007.20099 and earlier allows remote attackers to disclose process data via a malicious file. The parser performs operations on a JP2 object without first validating that the object exists, leaving stale object state accessible during image processing. Exploitation requires a victim to visit a malicious page or open a malicious file; the disclosure can support a separate code-execution chain in the current process.

The record

CVE
CVE-2021-44705
Published
Jan 14, 2022
Updated
Sep 16, 2024
Vendor
Adobe
Product
Adobe Acrobat Reader
Classifications
CWE-416, T1204.002, T1203
Attack vector
local
Privileges
unauthenticated

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Jan 14, 2022CVE 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 <=17.011.30204
  2. Affected versionversion=unspecified <=20.004.30017
  3. Affected versionversion=unspecified <=21.007.20099
  4. Affected versionversion=unspecified <=None

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectorlocal
Required privilegesunauthenticated

What is affected?

Adobe · Adobe Acrobat Readerversion=unspecified <=17.011.30204; version=unspecified <=20.004.30017; version=unspecified <=21.007.20099; version=unspecified <=None

Published CVSS scores

9.3NIST NVDAV:N/AC:M/Au:N/C:C/I:C/A:C
7.8Adobe Systems IncorporatedCVSS: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.

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)
Vectorlocal
Privilegesunauthenticated
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Public exploitUnconfirmed

Weakness, pattern, technique

CWE-416Use After Free
T1204.002Malicious File
T1203Exploitation for Client Execution

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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