CVE-2026-81985

Code execution via use-after-free during file processing

Published Sep 8, 2026 · Updated Sep 9, 2026

Use-after-free in Adobe Acrobat, Reader, and Acrobat 2024 allows attackers to execute code through a malicious PDF file. Adobe has not disclosed the affected parser, object, or specific lifetime-management error beyond identifying a use-after-free during file processing. A victim must open the file, after which attacker-controlled code runs with the privileges of the current user.

CVSS severity7.8
High
EPSS probability0.20%
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, and Acrobat 2024 allows attackers to execute code through a malicious PDF file. Adobe has not disclosed the affected parser, object, or specific lifetime-management error beyond identifying a use-after-free during file processing. A victim must open the file, after which attacker-controlled code runs with the privileges of the current user.

The record

CVE
CVE-2026-81985
Published
Sep 8, 2026
Updated
Sep 9, 2026
Vendor
Adobe
Product
Adobe Acrobat Pro 2024
Classifications
CWE-416, T1203, T1204.002
Attack vector
local
Privileges
unauthenticated

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Sep 8, 2026CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
  2. Sep 9, 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 <=24.001.30383

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectorlocal
Required privilegesunauthenticated

What is affected?

Adobe · Adobe Acrobat Pro 2024version=0 <=24.001.30383
Adobe · Adobe Acrobatversion=0 <=26.002.21900
Adobe · Adobe Acrobat Readerversion=0 <=26.002.21900

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.

Daily unique IPsNo honeypot observations are available for this CVE in the selected window.

No observations available

Sep 9, 2026Sep 15, 2026
Latest reporting daySep 15, 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
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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