CVE-2021-21017 Adobe Acrobat and Reader Heap-based Buffer Overflow
An attacker can execute arbitrary code by tricking a user into opening a malicious PDF file in Adobe Acrobat Reader.
- Exploited in the wild
- Since 3 Nov 2021
- Login needed
- Not needed
- Attackable
- Over the internet
- Victim action needed
- A user has to click or open something
- Fix
- None listed
What is CVE-2021-21017?
CVE-2021-21017 is a high-severity memory corruption vulnerability in Adobe Acrobat, published on 11 Feb 2021. An attacker can exploit it over the internet without logging in, and only if a user opens a file or follows a link.
Official description
Acrobat Reader DC versions versions 2020.013.20074 (and earlier), 2020.001.30018 (and earlier) and 2017.011.30188 (and earlier) are affected by a heap-based buffer overflow 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.
Which versions are affected by CVE-2021-21017?
It affects 4 products.
Products include Adobe Acrobat, Adobe Acrobat Dc, Adobe Acrobat Reader, Adobe Acrobat Reader Dc.
How do I fix CVE-2021-21017?
No fix has been published for CVE-2021-21017 yet. Limit exposure of the affected software until one is available. US federal agencies must fix it by 17 Nov 2021.
Upgrade to the fixed version. Memory-safe languages, compiler hardening and fuzzing prevent most new cases. More about Memory corruption.
Is CVE-2021-21017 being exploited?
Yes. Attackers have exploited CVE-2021-21017 in the wild since at least 3 Nov 2021.
Public exploit code: 2 proofs of concept on GitHub.
Other vulnerabilities in Adobe Acrobat
Sources
Also known as GHSA-r8q2-5jr4-57f7.