CVE-2021-44706 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

Adobe Acrobat Reader is affected by a use-after-free vulnerability that could lead to arbitrary code execution. This CVE provides details about the impact, technical description, and mitigation steps.

Understanding CVE-2021-44706

Acrobat Reader versions 21.007.20099 and earlier, 20.004.30017 and earlier, and 17.011.30204 and earlier are vulnerable to a use-after-free vulnerability.

What is CVE-2021-44706?

Acrobat Reader DC versions are prone to a use-after-free vulnerability when processing Format event actions, allowing an attacker to execute arbitrary code with the user's privileges.

The Impact of CVE-2021-44706

CVSS Base Score: 7.8 (High)
Vector String: CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
The vulnerability has a high impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability.

Technical Details of CVE-2021-44706

This section dives into specific technical aspects of the vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability arises from a use-after-free issue in Format event actions processing.

Affected Systems and Versions

Adobe Acrobat Reader DC versions 21.007.20099, 20.004.30017, and 17.011.30204.

Exploitation Mechanism

Requires user interaction; victims need to open a malicious file triggering the vulnerability.

Mitigation and Prevention

Protect your systems from this vulnerability using the following steps:

Immediate Steps to Take

Update Adobe Acrobat Reader to the latest version.
Avoid opening files from untrusted or unknown sources.
Implement security best practices for file handling.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update software and applications.
Educate users about safe file handling practices.

Patching and Updates

Adobe released a security update to address this vulnerability.