CVE-2021-28635 : What You Need to Know

A detailed overview of the Adobe Acrobat Reader Use-After-Free Vulnerability CVE-2021-28635 with information on the impact, technical details, and mitigation steps.

Understanding CVE-2021-28635

This section provides insights into the Adobe Acrobat Reader Use-After-Free Vulnerability CVE-2021-28635.

What is CVE-2021-28635?

Adobe Acrobat Reader versions 2021.005.20054 and earlier, 2020.004.30005 and earlier, and 2017.011.30197 and earlier are impacted by a use-after-free vulnerability. It could allow an unauthenticated attacker to execute arbitrary code within the current user's context by exploiting a malicious file.

The Impact of CVE-2021-28635

The vulnerability has a CVSS v3.1 base score of 7.8, indicating a high severity level with impacts on confidentiality, integrity, and availability. Attackers with low complexity could achieve code execution without requiring privileges.

Technical Details of CVE-2021-28635

In this section, we delve into the technical aspects of the Adobe Acrobat Reader Use-After-Free Vulnerability CVE-2021-28635.

Vulnerability Description

The Use-After-Free (CWE-416) vulnerability in Adobe Acrobat Reader allows attackers to execute arbitrary code by manipulating memory objects after they have been freed.

Affected Systems and Versions

Acrobat Reader versions 2021.005.20054, 2020.004.30005, and 2017.011.30197 are confirmed to be impacted by this vulnerability.

Exploitation Mechanism

To exploit the vulnerability, an attacker needs to entice a user into opening a specially crafted malicious file that triggers the use-after-free condition.

Mitigation and Prevention

This section discusses the necessary steps to mitigate and prevent the Adobe Acrobat Reader Use-After-Free Vulnerability CVE-2021-28635.

Immediate Steps to Take

Users should update their Acrobat Reader to the latest version available to patch this vulnerability. Additionally, exercise caution when opening files from untrusted or unknown sources.

Long-Term Security Practices

Encourage regular software updates for Acrobat Reader and maintain awareness about security best practices to prevent future exploitation attempts.

Patching and Updates

Adobe has released security updates to address this vulnerability. Users are advised to apply the latest patches to secure their systems against potential attacks.