NTLMv2 credential disclosure via ActiveX source loading
Published Aug 10, 2023 · Updated May 28, 2026
Information disclosure in Adobe Acrobat Reader 23.003.20244 and earlier allows remote attackers to obtain NTLMv2 credentials. The AxAcroPDF ActiveX control loads an attacker-controlled src resource and initiates Windows integrated authentication, disclosing the victim's challenge-response material. Exploitation requires the victim to open a crafted Microsoft Office file or visit an attacker-controlled web page; the reported impact is credential disclosure, not code execution.
Summary
What happened
Information disclosure in Adobe Acrobat Reader 23.003.20244 and earlier allows remote attackers to obtain NTLMv2 credentials. The AxAcroPDF ActiveX control loads an attacker-controlled src resource and initiates Windows integrated authentication, disclosing the victim's challenge-response material. Exploitation requires the victim to open a crafted Microsoft Office file or visit an attacker-controlled web page; the reported impact is credential disclosure, not code execution.
The record
- CVE
- CVE-2023-38245
- Published
- Aug 10, 2023
- Updated
- May 28, 2026
- Vendor
- Adobe
- Product
- Adobe Acrobat Reader
- Classifications
- CWE-200, T1187
- 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?
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- Affected versionversion=0 <=23.003.20244
What conditions does exploitation require?
What is affected?
Published CVSS scores
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Attacks
What attackers are doing with it
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Public exploit references
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Technologies
Your stack
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Your stack
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