CVE-2026-27278

Code execution via use-after-free after malicious file opening

Published Mar 10, 2026 · Updated Mar 10, 2026

Use-after-free in Adobe Acrobat Reader allows attackers to execute code as the current user after a victim opens a malicious file. Adobe has not disclosed the affected Reader component or the object-lifetime sequence that leaves code using freed memory. Affected versions are 25.001.21265 and earlier, plus Classic 2024 24.001.30307 and earlier on Windows and 24.001.30308 and earlier on macOS; execution inherits the victim's privileges.

CVSS severity7.8
High
EPSS probability0.22%
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 allows attackers to execute code as the current user after a victim opens a malicious file. Adobe has not disclosed the affected Reader component or the object-lifetime sequence that leaves code using freed memory. Affected versions are 25.001.21265 and earlier, plus Classic 2024 24.001.30307 and earlier on Windows and 24.001.30308 and earlier on macOS; execution inherits the victim's privileges.

The record

CVE
CVE-2026-27278
Published
Mar 10, 2026
Updated
Mar 10, 2026
Vendor
Adobe
Product
Adobe Acrobat Reader
Classifications
CWE-416, T1204.002
Attack vector
local
Privileges
unauthenticated

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Mar 10, 2026CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
  2. Mar 10, 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 <=25.001.21265

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectorlocal
Required privilegesunauthenticated

What is affected?

Adobe · Adobe Acrobat Readerversion=0 <=25.001.21265

Published CVSS scores

7.8Adobe Systems IncorporatedCVSS: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-416Use After Free
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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