Description
Acrobat Reader is 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.
Published: 2026-09-08
Score: 7.8 High
EPSS: < 1% Very Low
KEV: No
Impact: Arbitrary Code Execution
Action: Immediate Patch
AI Analysis

Impact

Acrobat Reader contains a use‑after‑free flaw that can be exploited to execute arbitrary code in the context of the user who opens a specially crafted PDF. The vulnerability arises when memory is deallocated, leaving a dangling pointer that a malicious file later dereferences, allowing code injection. Because the exploit requires the victim to open the file, the impact is limited to the rights of that user but can provide full control over the machine if successful.

Affected Systems

All installations of Adobe Acrobat 2024, Adobe Acrobat Reader, and Adobe Acrobat are affected. No exact version range is supplied, so any release containing the vulnerable code must be examined and patched.

Risk and Exploitability

The CVSS score of 7.8 indicates a high‑severity flaw. EPSS is not available, and the vulnerability is not listed in the CISA KEV catalog, which may reduce awareness. The requirement for user interaction – opening a malicious PDF – means attackers would likely rely on phishing or drive‑by tactics. Once triggered, the use‑after‑free can lead to arbitrary code execution, making the risk significant for affected users.

Generated by OpenCVE AI on September 9, 2026 at 09:11 UTC.

Remediation

No vendor fix or workaround currently provided.

OpenCVE Recommended Actions

  • Apply the latest Adobe Acrobat Reader or Adobe Acrobat updates that contain the fix for the use‑after‑free issue.
  • Disable Acrobat’s JavaScript engine and block remote content to reduce the attack surface.
  • Enforce policies that warn or block users from opening unknown PDF attachments and implement email filtering to prevent malicious PDFs from reaching users.

Generated by OpenCVE AI on September 9, 2026 at 09:11 UTC.

Tracking

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Advisories

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History

Fri, 11 Sep 2026 04:00:00 +0000

Type Values Removed Values Added
First Time appeared Adobe acrobat 2024
Adobe acrobat Reader
Vendors & Products Adobe acrobat 2024
Adobe acrobat Reader

Thu, 10 Sep 2026 14:00:00 +0000

Type Values Removed Values Added
First Time appeared Adobe
Adobe acrobat
Adobe acrobat Dc
Adobe acrobat Reader Dc
Apple
Apple macos
Microsoft
Microsoft windows
CPEs cpe:2.3:a:adobe:acrobat:*:*:*:*:classic:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:adobe:acrobat_dc:*:*:*:*:continuous:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:adobe:acrobat_reader_dc:*:*:*:*:continuous:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:apple:macos:-:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows:-:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
Vendors & Products Adobe
Adobe acrobat
Adobe acrobat Dc
Adobe acrobat Reader Dc
Apple
Apple macos
Microsoft
Microsoft windows

Wed, 09 Sep 2026 11:30:00 +0000

Type Values Removed Values Added
Metrics ssvc

{'options': {'Automatable': 'no', 'Exploitation': 'none', 'Technical Impact': 'total'}, 'version': '2.0.3'}


Tue, 08 Sep 2026 20:45:00 +0000

Type Values Removed Values Added
Description Acrobat Reader is 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.
Title Acrobat Reader | Use After Free (CWE-416)
Weaknesses CWE-416
References
Metrics cvssV3_1

{'score': 7.8, 'vector': 'CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H'}


Subscriptions

Adobe Acrobat Acrobat 2024 Acrobat Dc Acrobat Reader Acrobat Reader Dc
Apple Macos
Microsoft Windows
cve-icon MITRE

Status: PUBLISHED

Assigner: adobe

Published:

Updated: 2026-09-09T09:54:39.958Z

Reserved: 2026-08-27T21:20:45.366Z

Link: CVE-2026-81989

cve-icon Vulnrichment

Updated: 2026-09-09T09:50:59.278Z

cve-icon NVD

Status : Analyzed

Published: 2026-09-08T21:18:45.583

Modified: 2026-09-10T13:53:59.117

Link: CVE-2026-81989

cve-icon Redhat

No data.

cve-icon OpenCVE Enrichment

Updated: 2026-09-11T03:45:18Z

Weaknesses