CVE-2021-45062 : Vulnerability Insights and Analysis

Adobe Acrobat Reader DC version 21.007.20099 (and earlier), 20.004.30017 (and earlier), and 17.011.30204 (and earlier) are affected by a use-after-free vulnerability in the processing of Format event actions, potentially leading to arbitrary code execution. This CVE was made public on January 11, 2022, with a CVSS base score of 7.8.

Understanding CVE-2021-45062

Adobe Acrobat Reader DC Font Parsing Use-After-Free Remote Code Execution Vulnerability

What is CVE-2021-45062?

CVE-2021-45062 is a vulnerability in Adobe Acrobat Reader DC versions that allows a remote attacker to execute arbitrary code by exploiting a use-after-free weakness in handling Format event actions.

The Impact of CVE-2021-45062

The vulnerability poses a high risk as it could result in arbitrary code execution in the context of the current user, requiring user interaction to open a malicious file.

Technical Details of CVE-2021-45062

Vulnerability Description

Adobe Acrobat Reader DC versions 21.007.20099, 20.004.30017, and 17.011.30204 are prone to a use-after-free flaw in handling Format event actions, potentially enabling remote code execution.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: Acrobat Reader
Vendor: Adobe
Affected Versions: 21.007.20099, 20.004.30017, 17.011.30204, and earlier

Exploitation Mechanism

The vulnerability requires user interaction to open a specially crafted file, triggering the malicious code execution.

Mitigation and Prevention

Immediate Steps to Take

Update Acrobat Reader to the latest patched version to mitigate the vulnerability.
Be cautious when opening files from untrusted sources to prevent exploitation.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update software and operating systems to apply the latest security patches.
Educate users on safe browsing habits and the risks associated with opening unknown files.

Patching and Updates

Apply security updates as soon as they are released to address known vulnerabilities.