CVE-2021-44742 : Vulnerability Insights and Analysis

Acrobat Reader DC version 21.007.20099 and earlier, 20.004.30017 and earlier, and 17.011.30204 and earlier are affected by an out-of-bounds read vulnerability with potential remote code execution.

Understanding CVE-2021-44742

Adobe Reader Out-of-bounds Read Remote Code Execution Vulnerability

What is CVE-2021-44742?

Acrobat Reader versions are vulnerable to an out-of-bounds read flaw when processing specific files, allowing attackers to execute code

The Impact of CVE-2021-44742

The vulnerability could lead to remote code execution in the context of the current user, requiring user interaction to exploit.

Technical Details of CVE-2021-44742

Adobe Reader Vulnerability

Vulnerability Description

Out-of-bounds read vulnerability in Acrobat Reader
Allows reading past allocated memory structure

Affected Systems and Versions

Acrobat Reader DC versions 21.007.20099, 20.004.30017, 17.011.30204, and earlier

Exploitation Mechanism

Attack vector: Local
User interaction required to open a malicious file

Mitigation and Prevention

Steps to Secure Systems

Immediate Steps to Take

Update Acrobat Reader to the latest version
Avoid opening files from untrusted sources

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update software and security patches
Educate users about safe file handling practices

Patching and Updates

Apply security patches released by Adobe to fix the vulnerability