Code execution via resetForm object use-after-free
Published Jan 18, 2023 · Updated Oct 21, 2025
Use-after-free in affected Adobe Acrobat Reader releases allows remote attackers to execute code through a malicious PDF. The resetForm method operates on a field aggregation object without checking that it still exists, allowing PDF JavaScript to reclaim and reuse freed memory. A victim must open the file or visit a malicious page; successful exploitation runs code in the current Reader process and user context.
Summary
What happened
Use-after-free in affected Adobe Acrobat Reader releases allows remote attackers to execute code through a malicious PDF. The resetForm method operates on a field aggregation object without checking that it still exists, allowing PDF JavaScript to reclaim and reuse freed memory. A victim must open the file or visit a malicious page; successful exploitation runs code in the current Reader process and user context.
The record
- CVE
- CVE-2023-21608
- Published
- Jan 18, 2023
- Updated
- Oct 21, 2025
- Vendor
- Adobe
- Product
- Adobe Acrobat Reader
- Classifications
- CWE-416, T1204.002, T1203
- Attack vector
- local
- Privileges
- unauthenticated
Timeline
How it unfolded
- Jan 18, 2023CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
- Oct 21, 2025Record 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 <=20.005.30418
- Affected versionversion=unspecified <=22.003.20281
- Affected versionversion=unspecified <=22.003.20282
- 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
- HackSys Acrobat Reader resetForm RCE exploitweaponized · demonstrated
Labels summarize the accepted research assessment. They do not indicate a test against your environment.
Reported exploitation
- CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities listingknown exploited catalog
Technologies
Your stack
See the directory against your own environment.
Your stack
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