CVE-2020-9606 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

Adobe Acrobat and Reader versions 2020.006.20042 and earlier, 2017.011.30166 and earlier, 2017.011.30166 and earlier, and 2015.006.30518 and earlier have a use-after-free vulnerability that could lead to arbitrary code execution.

Understanding CVE-2020-9606

Adobe Acrobat and Reader are affected by a critical use-after-free vulnerability.

What is CVE-2020-9606?

CVE-2020-9606 is a vulnerability in Adobe Acrobat and Reader versions that allows attackers to execute arbitrary code by exploiting a use-after-free issue.

The Impact of CVE-2020-9606

The exploitation of this vulnerability could result in arbitrary code execution on the affected system, potentially leading to a complete compromise of the system.

Technical Details of CVE-2020-9606

Adobe Acrobat and Reader versions 2020.006.20042 and earlier, 2017.011.30166 and earlier, 2017.011.30166 and earlier, and 2015.006.30518 and earlier are susceptible to this vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

The use-after-free vulnerability in Adobe Acrobat and Reader allows attackers to manipulate memory and potentially execute malicious code.

Affected Systems and Versions

Adobe Acrobat and Reader versions 2020.006.20042 and earlier
Adobe Acrobat and Reader versions 2017.011.30166 and earlier
Adobe Acrobat and Reader versions 2015.006.30518 and earlier

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by crafting a malicious PDF file and convincing a user to open it, triggering the use-after-free condition.

Mitigation and Prevention

It is crucial to take immediate steps to mitigate the risks posed by CVE-2020-9606.

Immediate Steps to Take

Update Adobe Acrobat and Reader to the latest patched versions.
Exercise caution when opening PDF files from untrusted sources.
Implement security best practices to reduce the attack surface.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update software and applications to patch known vulnerabilities.
Educate users on safe browsing habits and the importance of software updates.

Patching and Updates

Adobe has released patches to address this vulnerability. Ensure that all instances of Adobe Acrobat and Reader are updated to the latest versions to mitigate the risk of exploitation.