Code execution via AcroForm annotation object overwrite
Published Jan 27, 2023 · Updated Mar 5, 2025
Out-of-bounds write in Adobe Acrobat Reader 2020 and DC allows attackers to execute code through a malicious PDF. AcroForm mishandles Annotation objects when embedded JavaScript performs actions, permitting a write past the end of an allocated object. Remote attackers must persuade the current user to open the file or visit a malicious page; successful exploitation runs code in the Reader process under that user's account.
Summary
What happened
Out-of-bounds write in Adobe Acrobat Reader 2020 and DC allows attackers to execute code through a malicious PDF. AcroForm mishandles Annotation objects when embedded JavaScript performs actions, permitting a write past the end of an allocated object. Remote attackers must persuade the current user to open the file or visit a malicious page; successful exploitation runs code in the Reader process under that user's account.
The record
- CVE
- CVE-2023-22241
- Published
- Jan 27, 2023
- Updated
- Mar 5, 2025
- Vendor
- Adobe
- Product
- Adobe Acrobat Reader
- Classifications
- CWE-787, T1204.002, T1203
- Attack vector
- local
- Privileges
- unauthenticated
Timeline
How it unfolded
- Jan 27, 2023CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
- Mar 5, 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
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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