CVE-2022-44520

Current-user code execution

Published Dec 18, 2024 · Updated Dec 20, 2024

Use-after-free in Adobe Acrobat Reader 22.001.20085 and earlier allows attackers to execute code by persuading a user to open a malicious PDF. Adobe identifies the memory-lifetime error but has not disclosed the affected parser, object type, or stale-reference operation that processes the crafted file. Execution requires local user interaction and runs with the privileges of the current user, allowing data access, modification, or service interruption within that account's authority.

CVSS severity7.8
High
EPSS probability0.35%
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 Adobe Acrobat Reader 22.001.20085 and earlier allows attackers to execute code by persuading a user to open a malicious PDF. Adobe identifies the memory-lifetime error but has not disclosed the affected parser, object type, or stale-reference operation that processes the crafted file. Execution requires local user interaction and runs with the privileges of the current user, allowing data access, modification, or service interruption within that account's authority.

The record

CVE
CVE-2022-44520
Published
Dec 18, 2024
Updated
Dec 20, 2024
Vendor
Adobe
Product
Adobe Acrobat Reader
Classifications
CWE-416, T1204.002, T1203
Attack vector
local
Privileges
unauthenticated

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Dec 18, 2024CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
  2. Dec 20, 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 <=17.012.30205

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectorlocal
Required privilegesunauthenticated

What is affected?

Adobe · Adobe Acrobat Readerversion=0 <=17.012.30205

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.

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
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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