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CVE-2023-21608

Adobe Acrobat and Reader Use-After-Free

7.8 HIGHActively exploited (CISA KEV)EPSS 61.5%
  1. Published18 Jan 2023
  2. Added to CISA KEV10 Oct 2023
  3. Remediation due31 Oct 2023
Actively exploited (CISA KEV)

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

Added to KEV: 10 Oct 2023Federal remediation due: 31 Oct 2023

Description

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.

CVSS 3.1 breakdown

Attack vectorLocal
Attack complexityLow
Privileges requiredNone
User interactionRequired
ScopeUnchanged
ConfidentialityHigh
IntegrityHigh
AvailabilityHigh
CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

Affected products

Adobe Acrobat≥ 20.001.30005 ≤ 20.005.30418
Adobe Acrobat Dc≥ 15.008.20082 ≤ 22.003.20281 · ≥ 15.008.20082 ≤ 22.003.20282
Adobe Acrobat Reader≥ 20.001.30005 ≤ 20.005.30418
Adobe Acrobat Reader Dc≥ 15.008.20082 ≤ 22.003.20281 · ≥ 15.008.20082 ≤ 22.003.20282

Remediation

No fixed version is recorded in the NVD data. Check the vendor advisory for the latest guidance.

References

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Frequently asked

Is CVE-2023-21608 being actively exploited?

Yes. CVE-2023-21608 is listed in the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog, added 10 Oct 2023.

How severe is CVE-2023-21608?

CVE-2023-21608 has a CVSS 3.1 base score of 7.8, rated high. EPSS estimates a 61.5% probability of exploitation.

Which products are affected by CVE-2023-21608?

Affected products include Adobe Acrobat, Adobe Acrobat Dc, Adobe Acrobat Reader, Adobe Acrobat Reader Dc.

How do I fix CVE-2023-21608?

Apply the vendor's patch or advisory guidance, then verify no affected versions remain across your devices.

How Secuno handles this

Secuno correlates vulnerabilities like CVE-2023-21608 against the real software inventory on every managed device, as each hourly inventory arrives. Rather than a static severity, each match is scored in context: exploit availability, EPSS, the asset's exposure, and business criticality decide where it lands in the queue. Because it is on the CISA KEV list, a risk for it never ranks below high, and the update that fixes it moves to the Emergency patch lane. If an affected version is present anywhere across your portfolio, it surfaces automatically with a prioritised remediation path.

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Data from the NVD, CISA KEV catalog and FIRST EPSS. CVSS 3.1 base score shown where available.