Code execution via missing PDF object validation
Published Jul 15, 2022 · Updated May 27, 2026
Use-after-free in Adobe Acrobat Reader allows context-dependent attackers to execute code by convincing a user to open a crafted PDF. The PDF parser performs operations on an object without first validating that it still exists, allowing document content to trigger access to freed memory. Execution requires a malicious page or file to be opened and runs with the privileges of the current Reader process.
Summary
What happened
Use-after-free in Adobe Acrobat Reader allows context-dependent attackers to execute code by convincing a user to open a crafted PDF. The PDF parser performs operations on an object without first validating that it still exists, allowing document content to trigger access to freed memory. Execution requires a malicious page or file to be opened and runs with the privileges of the current Reader process.
The record
- CVE
- CVE-2022-34216
- Published
- Jul 15, 2022
- Updated
- May 27, 2026
- Vendor
- Adobe
- Product
- Adobe Acrobat Reader
- Classifications
- CWE-416, T1203, T1204.002
- Attack vector
- local
- Privileges
- unauthenticated
Timeline
How it unfolded
- Jul 15, 2022CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
- May 27, 2026Record 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 <=17.012.30229
- Affected versionversion=unspecified <=20.005.30334
- Affected versionversion=unspecified <=22.001.20142
- 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.
Weakness, pattern, technique
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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