CVE-2021-28639 : Exploit Details and Defense Strategies

Adobe Acrobat Reader DC versions 2021.005.20054 (and earlier), 2020.004.30005 (and earlier), and 2017.011.30197 (and earlier) are affected by an Use-after-free vulnerability. An unauthenticated attacker could leverage this vulnerability to achieve arbitrary code execution in the context of the current user. Read on to understand the impact, technical details, and mitigation strategies related to CVE-2021-28639.

Understanding CVE-2021-28639

This section provides insights into the background and impact of the vulnerability.

What is CVE-2021-28639?

CVE-2021-28639 affects Adobe Acrobat Reader DC versions 2021.005.20054, 2020.004.30005, and 2017.011.30197 through a Use-after-free vulnerability. Attackers could exploit this flaw to execute arbitrary code in the user's context.

The Impact of CVE-2021-28639

The vulnerability poses a high-severity threat with a CVSS base score of 7.8. It requires user interaction, allowing attackers to execute malicious code remotely with high confidentiality, integrity, and availability impact.

Technical Details of CVE-2021-28639

Explore the technical aspects of the vulnerability below.

Vulnerability Description

CVE-2021-28639 is a Use-after-free vulnerability in Adobe Acrobat Reader DC, enabling unauthenticated attackers to trigger arbitrary code execution upon a victim opening a malicious file.

Affected Systems and Versions

Acrobat Reader versions 2021.005.20054, 2020.004.30005, and 2017.011.30197 are confirmed to be vulnerable to this exploit.

Exploitation Mechanism

Successful exploitation of this vulnerability hinges on an unauthenticated attacker tricking a user into opening a specially crafted file.

Mitigation and Prevention

Learn how to protect your systems from CVE-2021-28639 and enhance overall security.

Immediate Steps to Take

Users are advised to update their Acrobat Reader to the latest secure version provided by Adobe to mitigate the risk of exploitation.

Long-Term Security Practices

Implementing strict file validation processes, user awareness training, and security updates can bolster defenses against similar vulnerabilities.

Patching and Updates

Regularly check for security patches and updates from Adobe to safeguard against known vulnerabilities.