CVE-2021-21061 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

Adobe Acrobat Pro DC versions 2020.013.20074 and earlier, 2020.001.30018 and earlier, and 2017.011.30188 and earlier are susceptible to a Use-after-free vulnerability. This vulnerability could be exploited by an unauthenticated attacker to disclose sensitive information.

Understanding CVE-2021-21061

This section provides insights into the details of the CVE-2021-21061 vulnerability.

What is CVE-2021-21061?

CVE-2021-21061 is a Use-after-free vulnerability affecting Adobe Acrobat Pro DC. Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by tricking users into opening a malicious PDF file, leading to information disclosure.

The Impact of CVE-2021-21061

The CVE-2021-21061 vulnerability has a low severity base score of 3.3 (CVSSv3.0). While exploitation demands user interaction, the disclosure of sensitive user information remains a significant concern.

Technical Details of CVE-2021-21061

This section delves into the technical aspects of the CVE-2021-21061 vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability arises from a Use-after-free issue when parsing specifically crafted PDF files. It requires a victim to open a malicious file to trigger the exploit.

Affected Systems and Versions

Adobe Acrobat Pro DC versions 2020.013.20074 and earlier, 2020.001.30018 and earlier, and 2017.011.30188 and earlier are impacted by this vulnerability.

Exploitation Mechanism

To exploit CVE-2021-21061, an attacker needs to manipulate a PDF file to trigger the Use-after-free vulnerability, resulting in information disclosure.

Mitigation and Prevention

This section outlines the steps to mitigate and prevent exploitation of CVE-2021-21061.

Immediate Steps to Take

Users are advised to update Adobe Acrobat Pro DC to patched versions promptly. Avoid opening unsolicited PDF files to mitigate the risk of exploitation.

Long-Term Security Practices

Implementing secure PDF handling practices and regularly updating software can enhance overall system security.

Patching and Updates

Regularly check for security updates from Adobe and apply patches to ensure protection against the CVE-2021-21061 vulnerability.