CVE-2023-38228

Code execution via stale embedded-font object

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 when a malicious file is opened. During embedded-font parsing, Reader operates on an object without validating that it still exists, enabling reuse of freed memory; Acrobat Reader 2020 20.005.30467 and earlier is also affected. Exploitation requires the current user to open a crafted PDF or visit a malicious page, after which code runs in the context of that user.

CVSS severity7.8
High
EPSS probability2.98%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
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Summary

What happened

Use-after-free in Adobe Acrobat Reader 23.003.20244 and earlier allows attackers to execute code when a malicious file is opened. During embedded-font parsing, Reader operates on an object without validating that it still exists, enabling reuse of freed memory; Acrobat Reader 2020 20.005.30467 and earlier is also affected. Exploitation requires the current user to open a crafted PDF or visit a malicious page, after which code runs in the context of that user.

The record

CVE
CVE-2023-38228
Published
Aug 10, 2023
Updated
May 28, 2026
Vendor
Adobe
Product
Adobe Acrobat Reader
Classifications
CWE-416, T1203, T1204.002
Attack vector
local
Privileges
unauthenticated

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Aug 10, 2023CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
  2. 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.

  1. Affected versionversion=0 <=23.003.20244

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectorlocal
Required privilegesunauthenticated

What is affected?

Adobe · Adobe Acrobat Readerversion=0 <=23.003.20244

Published CVSS scores

7.8Trend Micro Zero Day InitiativeCVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
7.8AdobeCVSS: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-416Use After Free
T1203Exploitation for Client Execution
T1204.002Malicious 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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