CVE-2021-28561 Explained : Impact and Mitigation
Learn about CVE-2021-28561, a memory corruption vulnerability in Adobe Acrobat Reader, allowing remote code execution. Find out the impact, affected versions, and mitigation steps.
Adobe Acrobat Reader DC versions 2021.001.20150 and earlier, 2020.001.30020 and earlier, as well as 2017.011.30194 and earlier, are impacted by a memory corruption vulnerability. This vulnerability could potentially lead an unauthenticated attacker to execute arbitrary code in the current user context through a malicious file.
Understanding CVE-2021-28561
This CVE-2021-28561 pertains to a memory corruption vulnerability found in Adobe Acrobat Reader, which could result in remote code execution by an unauthorized user.
What is CVE-2021-28561?
CVE-2021-28561 is a memory corruption vulnerability present in certain versions of Adobe Acrobat Reader, allowing attackers to execute arbitrary code within the user's context by exploiting a particular file.
The Impact of CVE-2021-28561
The impact of this vulnerability is considered high, with a CVSS base score of 8.8, posing risks to confidentiality, integrity, and availability, requiring user interaction for exploitation.
Technical Details of CVE-2021-28561
This section delves into the technical aspects of the CVE-2021-28561 vulnerability.
Vulnerability Description
The vulnerability in Adobe Acrobat Reader allows an attacker to achieve remote code execution by leveraging a memory corruption issue.
Affected Systems and Versions
The affected versions include Adobe Acrobat Reader DC versions 2021.001.20150, 2020.001.30020, and 2017.011.30194.
Exploitation Mechanism
Exploitation of this vulnerability necessitates user interaction, requiring the victim to open a malicious file to trigger arbitrary code execution.
Mitigation and Prevention
To safeguard systems from the risks posed by CVE-2021-28561, certain mitigation and preventive measures can be implemented.
Immediate Steps to Take
Users should ensure they update their Adobe Acrobat Reader to the latest version available to address the memory corruption vulnerability.
Long-Term Security Practices
Employing secure computing practices, such as exercising caution when opening files from unknown sources, can help mitigate the risk of exploitation.
Patching and Updates
Regularly updating software and applying security patches provided by Adobe is crucial in maintaining system security and protecting against potential vulnerabilities.