CVE-2020-9706 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

Adobe Acrobat and Reader versions 2020.009.20074 and earlier, 2020.001.30002, 2017.011.30171 and earlier, and 2015.006.30523 and earlier have an out-of-bounds read vulnerability that could lead to information disclosure.

Understanding CVE-2020-9706

Adobe Acrobat and Reader are affected by an out-of-bounds read vulnerability that could potentially expose sensitive information.

What is CVE-2020-9706?

CVE-2020-9706 is a security vulnerability found in Adobe Acrobat and Reader versions mentioned above, allowing attackers to read data beyond the boundaries of allocated memory.

The Impact of CVE-2020-9706

Exploiting this vulnerability could result in unauthorized access to sensitive information, leading to potential data breaches and privacy violations.

Technical Details of CVE-2020-9706

Adobe Acrobat and Reader versions 2020.009.20074 and earlier, 2020.001.30002, 2017.011.30171 and earlier, and 2015.006.30523 and earlier are susceptible to an out-of-bounds read vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability allows attackers to read data outside the allocated memory boundaries, potentially exposing sensitive information.

Affected Systems and Versions

Adobe Acrobat and Reader versions 2020.009.20074 and earlier
Adobe Acrobat and Reader version 2020.001.30002
Adobe Acrobat and Reader versions 2017.011.30171 and earlier
Adobe Acrobat and Reader versions 2015.006.30523 and earlier

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by crafting a malicious PDF file and tricking a user into opening it, leading to the execution of arbitrary code.

Mitigation and Prevention

To mitigate the risks associated with CVE-2020-9706, follow these steps:

Immediate Steps to Take

Update Adobe Acrobat and Reader to the latest patched versions.
Avoid opening PDF files from untrusted or unknown sources.
Implement security best practices for handling PDF files.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update software and applications to patch known vulnerabilities.
Educate users on identifying and avoiding potentially malicious PDF files.

Patching and Updates

Adobe has released security updates to address CVE-2020-9706. Ensure that your Adobe Acrobat and Reader installations are updated to the latest versions to mitigate the vulnerability.