CVE-2024-20728

Code execution via malformed Annotation object

Published Feb 15, 2024 · Updated Aug 1, 2024

Out-of-bounds write in Annotation handling in Adobe Acrobat Reader allows remote attackers to execute code via a malicious PDF file. The Annotation object parser inadequately validates user-supplied data before writing it, permitting a write past the end of an allocated buffer. Exploitation requires a victim to open the file, after which code runs in the context of the current user.

CVSS severity7.8
High
EPSS probability2.79%
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 write in Annotation handling in Adobe Acrobat Reader allows remote attackers to execute code via a malicious PDF file. The Annotation object parser inadequately validates user-supplied data before writing it, permitting a write past the end of an allocated buffer. Exploitation requires a victim to open the file, after which code runs in the context of the current user.

The record

CVE
CVE-2024-20728
Published
Feb 15, 2024
Updated
Aug 1, 2024
Vendor
Adobe
Product
Adobe Acrobat Reader
Classifications
CWE-787, T1203, T1204.002
Attack vector
local
Privileges
unauthenticated

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Feb 15, 2024CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
  2. Aug 1, 2024Record 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 <=23.008.20470

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectorlocal
Required privilegesunauthenticated

What is affected?

Adobe · Adobe Acrobat Readerversion=0 <=23.008.20470

Published CVSS scores

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.

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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-787Out-of-bounds Write
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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