CVE-2023-44336Network attack vector

Arbitrary code execution via Thermometer dangling pointer

Published Nov 16, 2023 · Updated May 28, 2026

Use-after-free in Adobe Acrobat Reader 23.006.20360 and earlier allows remote attackers to execute code through a malicious PDF. A blur handler changes pageNum and calls app.thermometer.end(), freeing a heap block without clearing its stored pointer before Acrobat copies and dereferences it. Execution occurs in the current user's context after a victim opens the file; Classic 2020 20.005.30524 and earlier is also affected.

CVSS severity8.8
High
EPSS probability2.31%
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 23.006.20360 and earlier allows remote attackers to execute code through a malicious PDF. A blur handler changes pageNum and calls app.thermometer.end(), freeing a heap block without clearing its stored pointer before Acrobat copies and dereferences it. Execution occurs in the current user's context after a victim opens the file; Classic 2020 20.005.30524 and earlier is also affected.

The record

CVE
CVE-2023-44336
Published
Nov 16, 2023
Updated
May 28, 2026
Vendor
Adobe
Product
Adobe Acrobat Reader
Classifications
CWE-416, T1204.002, T1203
Attack vector
network
Privileges
unauthenticated

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Nov 16, 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 <=23.006.20360

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectornetwork
Required privilegesunauthenticated

What is affected?

Adobe · Adobe Acrobat Readerversion=0 <=23.006.20360

Published CVSS scores

8.8Cisco TalosCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
8.8AdobeCVSS:3.1/AV:N/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)
Vectornetwork
Privilegesunauthenticated
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Public exploitUnconfirmed

Weakness, pattern, technique

CWE-416Use After Free
T1204.002Malicious File
T1203Exploitation for Client Execution

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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