// For flags

CVE-2021-35981

Adobe Acrobat Reader DC launchURL Use-After-Free Remote Code Execution Vulnerability

Severity Score

7.8
*CVSS v3.1

Exploit Likelihood

*EPSS

Affected Versions

*CPE

Public Exploits

0
*Multiple Sources

Exploited in Wild

-
*KEV

Decision

-
*SSVC
Descriptions

Acrobat Reader DC versions 2021.005.20054 (and earlier), 2020.004.30005 (and earlier) and 2017.011.30197 (and earlier) are affected by an Use-after-free vulnerability. An unauthenticated attacker could leverage this vulnerability to achieve arbitrary code execution in the context of the current user. Exploitation of this issue requires user interaction in that a victim must open a malicious file.

Acrobat Reader DC versiones 2021.005.20054 (y anteriores), 2020.004.30005 (y anteriores), y 2017.011.30197 (y anteriores), están afectadas por una vulnerabilidad de uso de memoria previamente liberada. Un atacante no autenticado podría aprovechar esta vulnerabilidad para lograr una ejecución de código arbitrario en el contexto del usuario actual. Una explotación de este problema requiere una interacción del usuario, ya que la víctima debe abrir un archivo malicioso.

This vulnerability allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code on affected installations of Adobe Acrobat Reader DC. User interaction is required to exploit this vulnerability in that the target must visit a malicious page or open a malicious file.
The specific flaw exists within the implementation of the launchURL method. The issue results from the lack of validating the existence of an object prior to performing operations on the object. An attacker can leverage this vulnerability to execute code in the context of the current process.

*Credits: Xu Peng from UCAS and Wang Yanhao from QiAnXin Technology Research Institute
CVSS Scores
Attack Vector
Local
Attack Complexity
Low
Privileges Required
None
User Interaction
Required
Scope
Unchanged
Confidentiality
High
Integrity
High
Availability
High
Attack Vector
Network
Attack Complexity
Medium
Authentication
None
Confidentiality
Partial
Integrity
Partial
Availability
Partial
* Common Vulnerability Scoring System
SSVC
  • Decision:-
Exploitation
-
Automatable
-
Tech. Impact
-
* Organization's Worst-case Scenario
Timeline
  • 2021-06-30 CVE Reserved
  • 2021-07-15 CVE Published
  • 2024-09-16 CVE Updated
  • 2024-11-06 EPSS Updated
  • ---------- Exploited in Wild
  • ---------- KEV Due Date
  • ---------- First Exploit
CWE
  • CWE-416: Use After Free
CAPEC
References (1)
Affected Vendors, Products, and Versions
Vendor Product Version Other Status
Vendor Product Version Other Status <-- --> Vendor Product Version Other Status
Adobe
Search vendor "Adobe"
Acrobat Dc
Search vendor "Adobe" for product "Acrobat Dc"
>= 15.008.20082 <= 21.005.20054
Search vendor "Adobe" for product "Acrobat Dc" and version " >= 15.008.20082 <= 21.005.20054"
continuous
Affected
Adobe
Search vendor "Adobe"
Acrobat Dc
Search vendor "Adobe" for product "Acrobat Dc"
>= 17.011.30059 <= 17.011.30197
Search vendor "Adobe" for product "Acrobat Dc" and version " >= 17.011.30059 <= 17.011.30197"
classic
Affected
Adobe
Search vendor "Adobe"
Acrobat Dc
Search vendor "Adobe" for product "Acrobat Dc"
>= 20.001.30005 <= 20.004.30005
Search vendor "Adobe" for product "Acrobat Dc" and version " >= 20.001.30005 <= 20.004.30005"
classic
Affected
Adobe
Search vendor "Adobe"
Acrobat Reader Dc
Search vendor "Adobe" for product "Acrobat Reader Dc"
>= 15.008.20082 <= 21.005.20054
Search vendor "Adobe" for product "Acrobat Reader Dc" and version " >= 15.008.20082 <= 21.005.20054"
continuous
Affected
Adobe
Search vendor "Adobe"
Acrobat Reader Dc
Search vendor "Adobe" for product "Acrobat Reader Dc"
>= 17.011.30059 <= 17.011.30197
Search vendor "Adobe" for product "Acrobat Reader Dc" and version " >= 17.011.30059 <= 17.011.30197"
classic
Affected
Adobe
Search vendor "Adobe"
Acrobat Reader Dc
Search vendor "Adobe" for product "Acrobat Reader Dc"
>= 20.001.30005 <= 20.004.30005
Search vendor "Adobe" for product "Acrobat Reader Dc" and version " >= 20.001.30005 <= 20.004.30005"
classic
Affected