CVE-2021-35986 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

Adobe Acrobat Pro DC getAnnot Type Confusion Information Disclosure Vulnerability was made public on July 13, 2021. The vulnerability affects Acrobat Reader versions 2021.005.20054 and earlier, 2020.004.30005 and earlier, and 2017.011.30197 and earlier. An unauthenticated attacker could exploit this vulnerability to access arbitrary system information in the context of the current user by tricking them into opening a malicious file.

Understanding CVE-2021-35986

This CVE highlights a Type Confusion vulnerability in Adobe Acrobat Pro DC that allows unauthorized access to system information.

What is CVE-2021-35986?

Adobe Acrobat Pro DC versions with specific build numbers are vulnerable to a Type Confusion flaw. This can be exploited by a malicious actor to read sensitive system data.

The Impact of CVE-2021-35986

The impact involves unauthorized disclosure of system information to an attacker, potentially compromising user privacy and security.

Technical Details of CVE-2021-35986

The technical details of this CVE involve specific affected versions and the exploitation mechanism.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability allows an unauthenticated attacker to exploit a Type Confusion flaw and read arbitrary system information by convincing a user to open a malicious file.

Affected Systems and Versions

Acrobat Reader versions 2021.005.20054, 2020.004.30005, and 2017.011.30197 (and earlier) are confirmed to be affected.

Exploitation Mechanism

Exploiting this vulnerability requires user interaction in the form of opening a specifically crafted malicious file.

Mitigation and Prevention

To mitigate the risks associated with CVE-2021-35986, immediate action and long-term security practices are essential.

Immediate Steps to Take

Users should update their Adobe Acrobat Reader to the latest patched version to prevent exploitation of this vulnerability.

Long-Term Security Practices

In the long term, maintaining software up-to-date, being cautious while opening files from untrusted sources, and implementing security best practices are crucial.

Patching and Updates

Adobe has released security updates to address this vulnerability. It is recommended to apply the latest patches to safeguard systems from potential exploitation.