Code execution via stale Doc object use
Published Aug 10, 2023 · Updated May 28, 2026
Use-after-free in Adobe Acrobat Reader 23.003.20244 and earlier allows attackers to execute code by opening a malicious file. The AcroForm Doc-object handler performs operations without first validating that the object still exists, leaving a freed object usable. The flaw also affects Acrobat Reader 2020 20.005.30467 and earlier; a target must visit a malicious page or open a malicious file, and code runs as the current user.
Summary
What happened
Use-after-free in Adobe Acrobat Reader 23.003.20244 and earlier allows attackers to execute code by opening a malicious file. The AcroForm Doc-object handler performs operations without first validating that the object still exists, leaving a freed object usable. The flaw also affects Acrobat Reader 2020 20.005.30467 and earlier; a target must visit a malicious page or open a malicious file, and code runs as the current user.
The record
- CVE
- CVE-2023-38225
- Published
- Aug 10, 2023
- Updated
- May 28, 2026
- Vendor
- Adobe
- Product
- Adobe Acrobat Reader
- Classifications
- CWE-416, T1204.002, T1203
- Attack vector
- local
- Privileges
- unauthenticated
Timeline
How it unfolded
- Aug 10, 2023CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
- May 28, 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=0 <=23.003.20244
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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