CVE-2023-21621

Code execution via embedded-font memory corruption

Published Feb 17, 2023 · Updated Aug 2, 2024

Improper input validation in Adobe FrameMaker 2020 Update 4 and earlier and 2022 allows attackers to execute code via a crafted file. The embedded-font parser processes insufficiently validated user-supplied font data, producing memory corruption in the current process. Exploitation requires the current user to open the malicious file or visit content that causes FrameMaker to process it.

CVSS severity7.8
High
EPSS probability0.33%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
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Summary

What happened

Improper input validation in Adobe FrameMaker 2020 Update 4 and earlier and 2022 allows attackers to execute code via a crafted file. The embedded-font parser processes insufficiently validated user-supplied font data, producing memory corruption in the current process. Exploitation requires the current user to open the malicious file or visit content that causes FrameMaker to process it.

The record

CVE
CVE-2023-21621
Published
Feb 17, 2023
Updated
Aug 2, 2024
Vendor
Adobe
Product
Adobe FrameMaker
Classifications
CWE-20, T1203, T1204.002
Attack vector
local
Privileges
unauthenticated

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Feb 17, 2023CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
  2. Aug 2, 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 <=2020u4
  2. Affected versionversion=unspecified <=2022
  3. Affected versionversion=unspecified <=None

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectorlocal
Required privilegesunauthenticated

What is affected?

Adobe · Adobe FrameMakerversion=unspecified <=2020u4; version=unspecified <=2022; version=unspecified <=None

Published CVSS scores

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-20Improper Input Validation
T1203Exploitation for Client Execution
T1204.002User Execution: Malicious File

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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