CVE-2021-28550 is a high-severity Use After Free vulnerability that affects Adobe Acrobat Reader DC versions 2021.001.20150 (and earlier), 2020.001.30020 (and earlier), and 2017.011.30194 (and earlier). This vulnerability allows unauthenticated attackers to leverage the flaw to achieve arbitrary code execution in the context of the current user. Exploitation of this issue necessitates user interaction, specifically requiring the victim to open a malicious file. With a CVSS score of 8.8, this vulnerability poses a significant risk to organizations that utilize affected versions of Adobe products.
The urgency for defenders to address this vulnerability cannot be overstated. Organizations utilizing these versions of Adobe Acrobat and Reader should prioritize patching immediately to mitigate potential exploitation risks. The vulnerability is categorized as high severity due to its ability to allow arbitrary code execution, which can lead to data breaches and system compromises.
The exploitation of CVE-2021-28550 has been acknowledged in the Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog, indicating that it has been actively exploited in the wild. Therefore, timely action is essential for organizations to protect their systems and data.
Adobe has released updates to address this vulnerability, and organizations are advised to apply these updates according to vendor instructions. The risk to organizations includes potential unauthorized access and control over systems, which could lead to further exploitation.
Vulnerability Details
The official description states: 'Acrobat Reader DC versions 2021.001.20150 (and earlier), 2020.001.30020 (and earlier) and 2017.011.30194 (and earlier) are affected by a Use After Free vulnerability.' This vulnerability is classified under CWE-416. The CVSS score of 8.8 indicates a high severity level, primarily due to the high impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability.
The vulnerability affects Adobe's Acrobat and Reader products, particularly those under continuous and classic versions as detailed in the configurations section. The publication date of this vulnerability was September 2, 2021.
Technical Analysis
The root cause of CVE-2021-28550 stems from improper memory management, specifically a Use After Free condition, which can be exploited when a victim opens a specially crafted file. The attack vector for this vulnerability is network-based, requiring the user to interact with a malicious file, thus necessitating user interaction for exploitation.
The attack complexity is assessed as low, and no privileges are required for the attacker to exploit this vulnerability. The potential impacts include high confidentiality, integrity, and availability losses, which could critically affect organizations relying on Adobe Acrobat and Reader products.
Risk & Impact Analysis
Organizations using affected versions of Adobe Acrobat and Reader face considerable risk due to the potential for unauthorized code execution. If exploited, this vulnerability could allow attackers to gain control over the system, leading to data breaches, loss of sensitive information, and further attacks within the network.
The blast radius of this vulnerability is significant, particularly in environments where Adobe products are widely used. Organizations should assess the CVSS score and the presence of this vulnerability in their systems to prioritize remediation in their patch cycles.
Based on the KEV catalog, this vulnerability has been actively exploited, further emphasizing the need for immediate action from organizations to mitigate risks.
Exploitation Status
Signal | Status |
|---|---|
Known Exploit | No |
Public PoC | No |
Actively Exploited | Yes |
Ransomware Use | No |
Affected Versions
The affected versions include Acrobat Reader DC versions 2021.001.20150 (and earlier), 2020.001.30020 (and earlier), and 2017.011.30194 (and earlier). Organizations should refer to Adobe's official advisory for a comprehensive list of affected products and version ranges.
Mitigation & Remediation
Adobe has issued patches to remediate this vulnerability. Organizations should apply updates as per vendor instructions to ensure protection against potential exploits. In addition to patching, organizations can implement network controls to restrict access to untrusted files and monitor user interactions with Adobe products.
For ongoing security, organizations should consider engaging in continuous security testing to identify and remediate vulnerabilities in their systems.
Detection Guidance
Organizations should monitor for unusual log entries related to the opening of PDF files, particularly from untrusted sources. Behavioral anomalies in user activity when interacting with Adobe products should also be investigated. Network signatures can be established to detect attempts to exploit this vulnerability.
AppSecure Threat Intelligence Insight
CVE-2021-28550 highlights the ongoing risks associated with memory management vulnerabilities in widely used software. Security teams should take this incident as a reminder of the importance of regular updates and vulnerability management practices.
Organizations are encouraged to implement a comprehensive vulnerability management program to proactively identify and address vulnerabilities before they can be exploited.
Furthermore, as part of a robust security strategy, organizations should actively engage in penetration testing to validate the effectiveness of their security measures and ensure that all vulnerabilities are addressed.
In conclusion, organizations must take proactive steps to defend against vulnerabilities like CVE-2021-28550 to safeguard their systems and data.
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
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