Code execution via attacker-controlled executable search path
Published Dec 9, 2025 · Updated Apr 28, 2026
Untrusted search path handling in Adobe Acrobat Reader allows local users to execute code when a malicious file is opened. The application resolves critical programs through a search path that an attacker can redirect to a malicious executable, then launches that substituted program. Opening the crafted file is required, and successful exploitation runs the attacker's code with the current user's privileges.
Summary
What happened
Untrusted search path handling in Adobe Acrobat Reader allows local users to execute code when a malicious file is opened. The application resolves critical programs through a search path that an attacker can redirect to a malicious executable, then launches that substituted program. Opening the crafted file is required, and successful exploitation runs the attacker's code with the current user's privileges.
The record
- CVE
- CVE-2025-64785
- Published
- Dec 9, 2025
- Updated
- Apr 28, 2026
- Vendor
- Adobe
- Product
- Adobe Acrobat Reader
- Classifications
- CWE-426, T1204.002
- Attack vector
- local
- Privileges
- unauthenticated
Timeline
How it unfolded
- Dec 9, 2025CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
- Apr 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 <=20.005.30803
What conditions does exploitation require?
What is affected?
Published CVSS scores
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.
Public exploit references
No public exploit references are available in this record.
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Technologies
Your stack
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Your stack
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