CVE-2023-38248

Memory disclosure via unvalidated PDF buffer read

Published Aug 10, 2023 · Updated Feb 27, 2025

Out-of-bounds read in Adobe Acrobat Reader 23.003.20244 and earlier allows attackers to disclose process memory through a malicious PDF. The PDF parser fails to validate user-supplied data before reading past the end of an allocated buffer. A victim must open the file or visit a malicious page; Classic 2020 versions 20.005.30467 and earlier are also affected, and leaked memory can expose ASLR data for a separate exploit.

CVSS severity5.5
Medium
EPSS probability2.11%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
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Summary

What happened

Out-of-bounds read in Adobe Acrobat Reader 23.003.20244 and earlier allows attackers to disclose process memory through a malicious PDF. The PDF parser fails to validate user-supplied data before reading past the end of an allocated buffer. A victim must open the file or visit a malicious page; Classic 2020 versions 20.005.30467 and earlier are also affected, and leaked memory can expose ASLR data for a separate exploit.

The record

CVE
CVE-2023-38248
Published
Aug 10, 2023
Updated
Feb 27, 2025
Vendor
Adobe
Product
Adobe Acrobat Reader
Classifications
CWE-125, T1204.002
Attack vector
local
Privileges
unauthenticated

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Aug 10, 2023CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
  2. Feb 27, 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.

  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

5.5Adobe Systems IncorporatedCVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:N
3.3Trend Micro Zero Day InitiativeCVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:L/I:N/A:N

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-125Out-of-bounds Read
T1204.002User Execution: Malicious 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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