Code execution via uninitialized font-parser memory
Published Aug 10, 2023 · Updated May 28, 2026
Access of uninitialized pointer in Adobe Acrobat Reader 23.003.20244 and earlier allows remote attackers to execute code via a malicious PDF. The embedded-font parser accesses memory before properly initializing it, allowing attacker-controlled document content to redirect execution. A victim must open the file or visit a malicious page; successful exploitation runs code with the current user's privileges, and Reader 2020 20.005.30467 and earlier is also affected.
Summary
What happened
Access of uninitialized pointer in Adobe Acrobat Reader 23.003.20244 and earlier allows remote attackers to execute code via a malicious PDF. The embedded-font parser accesses memory before properly initializing it, allowing attacker-controlled document content to redirect execution. A victim must open the file or visit a malicious page; successful exploitation runs code with the current user's privileges, and Reader 2020 20.005.30467 and earlier is also affected.
The record
- CVE
- CVE-2023-38226
- Published
- Aug 10, 2023
- Updated
- May 28, 2026
- Vendor
- Adobe
- Product
- Adobe Acrobat Reader
- Classifications
- CWE-824, T1203, T1204.002
- 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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