IRONSMITHINTEL
HIGHCVSS7.8
|
Actively Exploited
|CISA KEV|CVE-2023-21608|Auth: none — unauthenticated|Reboot: required|Manual only

Adobe Acrobat and Reader Use-After-Free Vulnerability

Adobe Acrobat and Reader contains a use-after-free vulnerability that allows for code execution in the context of the current user.

Published Jan 18, 2023 · Updated May 16, 2026
Why patchRisk explained in plain English
Worst-case scenarioIf unpatched

A local attacker, without authentication, can achieve full data confidentiality loss, arbitrary modification of data, complete denial of service or system unavailability. Federal agencies are required to remediate by 2023-10-31 under CISA BOD 22-01.

How the attack worksNo clicks needed

This is a Use After Free (CWE-416) vulnerability in Adobe Acrobat and Reader. Adobe Acrobat Reader versions 22.003.20282 (and earlier), 22.003.20281 (and earlier) and 20.005.30418 (and earlier) are affected by a Use After Free vulnerability that could result in 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. Exploitation requires local access, low attack complexity, no authentication required, and user interaction required.

Am I affected?Quick check

Probably yes if any of these apply:

Endpoint Administrators
IT Security
Running acrobat dc: 15.008.20082 ≤ v ≤ 22.003.20282, 15.008.20082 ≤ v ≤ 22.003.20281; acrobat reader dc: 15.008.20082 ≤ v ≤ 22.003.20282, 15.008.20082 ≤ v ≤ 22.003.20281; acrobat: 20.001.30005 ≤ v ≤ 20.005.30418; acrobat reader: 20.001.30005 ≤ v ≤ 20.005.30418
Real-world incidentsWhat we've seen

CISA added this CVE to the Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog on 2023-10-10 based on evidence of active exploitation in the wild. Federal agencies required to remediate by 2023-10-31.

How to patch

Manual remediation steps

Apply the Vendor Patch

This vulnerability is in the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog — apply the vendor's security update as soon as possible.

CISA required action: Apply mitigations per vendor instructions or discontinue use of the product if mitigations are unavailable.

References

    1
    Vendor advisory: https://helpx.adobe.com/security/products/acrobat/apsb23-01.html
    1
    NVD entry: https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2023-21608
    1
    CISA KEV: https://www.cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog?field_cve=CVE-2023-21608
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