CVE-2023-26369
Published: 13 September 2023
Summary
CVE-2023-26369 is a high-severity Out-of-bounds Write (CWE-787) vulnerability in Adobe Acrobat. Its CVSS base score is 7.8 (High).
Operationally, ranked in the top 25.3% of CVEs by exploit likelihood; CISA has added it to the Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog.
The strongest mitigations our analysis identified are NIST 800-53 SI-2 (Flaw Remediation) and AC-6 (Least Privilege).
Deeper analysis
Acrobat Reader versions 23.003.20284 and earlier, 20.005.30516 and earlier, and 20.005.30514 and earlier contain an out-of-bounds write vulnerability, tracked as CWE-787, that can lead to arbitrary code execution in the context of the current user. The flaw carries a CVSS 3.1 score of 7.8 with an attack vector of local access, low complexity, no privileges required, and required user interaction.
An attacker can exploit the issue by supplying a malicious file that a victim must open, after which code executes under the privileges of the user who opened the document. No remote or unauthenticated vector is described.
Adobe’s security bulletin APSB23-34 addresses the vulnerability and directs users to apply the vendor-supplied updates. The entry also appears in CISA’s catalog of known exploited vulnerabilities.
EPSS for the CVE rose sharply from a low baseline to a peak of 0.1737 on 16 September 2023, three days after disclosure, before receding to the current value of 0.0078; this trajectory indicates a transient surge in exploitation interest following public release.
EU & UK References
- 🇪🇺 ENISA EUVD: EUVD-2023-30189
Vulnerability details
Acrobat Reader versions 23.003.20284 (and earlier), 20.005.30516 (and earlier) and 20.005.30514 (and earlier) are affected by an out-of-bounds write vulnerability that could result in arbitrary code execution in the context of the current user. Exploitation of this issue requires user…
more
interaction in that a victim must open a malicious file.
- CWE(s)
- KEV Date Added
- 14 September 2023
Related Threats
No named actor attribution yet. ATT&CK technique mapping in progress for this CVE.
Affected Assets
Mitigating Controls
Mitigating Controls (NIST 800-53 r5) AI
Directly requires timely application of the vendor patch (APSB23-34) that eliminates the out-of-bounds write flaw before a malicious PDF can be exploited.
Employs memory-protection techniques (DEP, ASLR, etc.) that raise the bar against successful arbitrary-code execution resulting from the CWE-787 write.
Limits the Acrobat Reader process and user account to least-privilege rights, reducing the impact of code execution even if the vulnerability is triggered.