Zero-day vulnerability in Adobe Reader

Heap-based buffer overflow
CVE-2021-21017

Vulnerability details

Advisory: SB2021021001 - Multiple vulnerabilities in Adobe Reader and Acrobat

Vulnerable component: Adobe Reader

CVE-ID: CVE-2021-21017

CVSSv3 score: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H/E:H/RL:O/RC:C

CWE-ID: CWE-122 - Heap-based Buffer Overflow

Description:

The vulnerability allows a remote attacker to execute arbitrary code on the target system.

The vulnerability exists due to a boundary error when processing PDF files. A remote attacker can create a specially crafted PDf file, trick the victim into opening it, trigger a heap-based buffer overflow and execute arbitrary code on the target system.

Successful exploitation of this vulnerability may result in complete compromise of vulnerable system.

Note, the vulnerability is being actively exploited in the wild.

External links:

https://helpx.adobe.com/security/products/acrobat/apsb21-09.html

About zero-day vulnerabilities

Zero-day vulnerability is an undisclosed vulnerability in software that hackers can exploit to compromise computer programs, gain unauthorized access to sensitive data, penetrate networks, etc. We consider vulnerability a zero-day when there is no solution provided from software vendor and the vulnerability is being actively exploited by malicious actors.

Zero-day candidate is a potential zero-day vulnerability in software which might have been used in targeted attacks, however there is no evidence to support this suggestion.