CVE-2021-39851 Explained : Impact and Mitigation
Learn about CVE-2021-39851 affecting Adobe Acrobat Reader DC versions, leading to application denial-of-service. Take immediate steps for mitigation and long-term security practices.
Adobe Acrobat Reader DC versions 2021.005.20060 and earlier, 2020.004.30006 and earlier, and 2017.011.30199 and earlier are affected by a Null pointer dereference vulnerability. An attacker could exploit this to cause an application denial-of-service.
Understanding CVE-2021-39851
Adobe Acrobat Reader DC vulnerability
What is CVE-2021-39851?
CVE-2021-39851 is a Null pointer dereference vulnerability affecting Adobe Acrobat Reader DC versions, potentially leading to application denial-of-service.
The Impact of CVE-2021-39851
The vulnerability has:
- Base Score: 5.5 (Medium Severity)
- Attack Vector: Local
- Attack Complexity: Low
- User Interaction: Required
- Availability Impact: High
Technical Details of CVE-2021-39851
Adobe Acrobat Reader DC vulnerability details
Vulnerability Description
- Type: Null Pointer Dereference (CWE-476)
- Exploitation: Requires user interaction to open a malicious file
Affected Systems and Versions
This vulnerability affects:
- Adobe Acrobat Reader DC 2021 July and earlier
- Adobe Acrobat Reader 20.0-Classic 2021 July and earlier
- Adobe Acrobat Reader 17.0-Classic 2021 July and earlier
Exploitation Mechanism
An unauthenticated attacker could exploit this vulnerability through user interaction by getting the victim to open a malicious file.
Mitigation and Prevention
Mitigation steps for CVE-2021-39851
Immediate Steps to Take
- Update Adobe Acrobat Reader DC to the latest version
- Avoid opening files from untrusted sources
Long-Term Security Practices
- Regularly update software and applications
- Implement security awareness training for users
Patching and Updates
Ensure timely installation of security patches and updates to address known vulnerabilities in Adobe Acrobat Reader DC.