CVE-2024-20721 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

This CVE-2024-20721 article provides detailed information about an Improper Input Validation vulnerability affecting Acrobat Reader T5 (MSFT Edge) versions 120.0.2210.91 and earlier, with a medium severity level.

Understanding CVE-2024-20721

The vulnerability in question poses a risk of application denial-of-service for unauthenticated attackers within the current user's context. Exploiting this issue requires user interaction, specifically opening a malicious file.

What is CVE-2024-20721?

The CVE-2024-20721 vulnerability impacts Acrobat Reader T5 (MSFT Edge) versions 120.0.2210.91 and prior. It is classified as an Improper Input Validation vulnerability.

The Impact of CVE-2024-20721

The vulnerability could potentially lead to a denial-of-service attack, affecting the availability of the application. However, it does not have a direct impact on confidentiality or integrity.

Technical Details of CVE-2024-20721

This section delves into specific technical aspects of the CVE-2024-20721 vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability arises due to improper input validation in Acrobat Reader T5 (MSFT Edge) versions 120.0.2210.91 and earlier. It allows unauthenticated attackers to trigger a denial-of-service condition within the user's context.

Affected Systems and Versions

The affected product is "Acrobat for Edge" by Adobe, particularly versions less than or equal to 120.0.2210.91.

Exploitation Mechanism

Exploiting this vulnerability requires the victim to interact by opening a malicious file, which triggers the denial-of-service attack within the user's current context.

Mitigation and Prevention

To mitigate the risks associated with CVE-2024-20721, certain steps can be taken to enhance security and prevent potential attacks.

Immediate Steps to Take

Users should exercise caution when opening files from untrusted or unknown sources, especially in Acrobat Reader T5 (MSFT Edge) versions prior to 120.0.2210.91.

Long-Term Security Practices

Implementing robust cybersecurity practices, such as regular software updates, maintaining system security configurations, and user awareness training, can help prevent similar vulnerabilities in the long run.

Patching and Updates

It is recommended to apply the latest security patches and updates provided by Adobe to address and remediate the vulnerability in Acrobat Reader T5 (MSFT Edge) versions 120.0.2210.91 and earlier.