Cyber Resilience

CVE-2023-38233

High

Published: 10 August 2023

Published
10 August 2023
Modified
21 November 2024
KEV Added
Patch
CVSS Score v3.1 7.8 CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
EPSS Score 0.0537 90.3th percentile
Risk Priority 19 60% EPSS · 20% KEV · 20% CVSS

Summary

CVE-2023-38233 is a high-severity Out-of-bounds Write (CWE-787) vulnerability in Apple Macos. Its CVSS base score is 7.8 (High).

Operationally, ranked in the top 9.7% of CVEs by exploit likelihood; it is not currently listed in the CISA KEV catalog.

Deeper analysis

Adobe Acrobat Reader versions 23.003.20244 and earlier, along with versions 20.005.30467 and earlier, contain an out-of-bounds write vulnerability tracked as CVE-2023-38233 and CWE-787. The flaw carries a CVSS 3.1 score of 7.8 and can permit arbitrary code execution in the context of the current user when triggered.

Exploitation requires an attacker to supply a malicious file that the victim must open; successful abuse grants the attacker full control over confidentiality, integrity, and availability on the affected system without needing prior authentication or elevated privileges.

Adobe has published mitigation guidance and patch information in security advisory APSB23-30, available at https://helpx.adobe.com/security/products/acrobat/apsb23-30.html. The associated EPSS score has remained flat at a peak of 0.0537 since disclosure.

EU & UK References

Vulnerability details

Adobe Acrobat Reader versions 23.003.20244 (and earlier) and 20.005.30467 (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 interaction in…

more

that a victim must open a malicious file.

CWE(s)

Related Threats

No named actor attribution yet. ATT&CK technique mapping in progress for this CVE.

Affected Assets

adobe
acrobat dc
15.008.20082 — 23.003.20269
adobe
acrobat reader dc
15.008.20082 — 23.003.20269
adobe
acrobat
20.001.30005 — 20.005.30516.10516 · 20.001.30005 — 20.005.30514.10514
adobe
acrobat reader
20.001.30005 — 20.005.30516.10516 · 20.001.30005 — 20.005.30514.10514

Mitigating Controls

Likely Mitigating Controls AI

Per-CVE control mapping for this CVE has not run yet; the list below is derived from the weakness types (CWEs) cited in the NVD entry.

addresses: CWE-787

Out-of-bounds writes that corrupt control flow or inject shellcode are rendered non-executable by the same memory protections.

References