CVE-2021-28550
Adobe Acrobat and Reader Use-After-Free Vulnerability - [Actively Exploited]
Description
Acrobat Reader DC versions 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. An unauthenticated attacker could leverage this vulnerability to achieve arbitrary code execution in the context of the current user. Exploitation of this issue requires user interaction in that a victim must open a malicious file.
INFO
Published Date :
Sept. 2, 2021, 5:15 p.m.
Last Modified :
Feb. 13, 2025, 5:30 p.m.
Remotely Exploit :
Yes !
Source :
[email protected]
CISA KEV (Known Exploited Vulnerabilities)
For the benefit of the cybersecurity community and network defenders—and to help every organization better manage vulnerabilities and keep pace with threat activity—CISA maintains the authoritative source of vulnerabilities that have been exploited in the wild.
Adobe Acrobat and Reader contains a use-after-free vulnerability that could allow an unauthenticated attacker to achieve code execution in the context of the current user.
Apply updates per vendor instructions.
https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2021-28550
Affected Products
The following products are affected by CVE-2021-28550
vulnerability.
Even if cvefeed.io is aware of the exact versions of the
products
that
are
affected, the information is not represented in the table below.
CVSS Scores
| Score | Version | Severity | Vector | Exploitability Score | Impact Score | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CVSS 2.0 | MEDIUM | [email protected] | ||||
| CVSS 3.0 | CRITICAL | [email protected] | ||||
| CVSS 3.1 | HIGH | [email protected] |
Solution
- Upgrade Adobe Acrobat and Reader to the latest version.
- Restart the application after upgrading.
Public PoC/Exploit Available at Github
CVE-2021-28550 has a 11 public
PoC/Exploit available at Github.
Go to the Public Exploits tab to see the list.
References to Advisories, Solutions, and Tools
Here, you will find a curated list of external links that provide in-depth
information, practical solutions, and valuable tools related to
CVE-2021-28550.
| URL | Resource |
|---|---|
| https://helpx.adobe.com/security/products/acrobat/apsb21-29.html | Release Notes Vendor Advisory |
| https://helpx.adobe.com/security/products/acrobat/apsb21-29.html | Release Notes Vendor Advisory |
CWE - Common Weakness Enumeration
While CVE identifies
specific instances of vulnerabilities, CWE categorizes the common flaws or
weaknesses that can lead to vulnerabilities. CVE-2021-28550 is
associated with the following CWEs:
Common Attack Pattern Enumeration and Classification (CAPEC)
Common Attack Pattern Enumeration and Classification
(CAPEC)
stores attack patterns, which are descriptions of the common attributes and
approaches employed by adversaries to exploit the CVE-2021-28550
weaknesses.
We scan GitHub repositories to detect new proof-of-concept exploits. Following list is a collection of public exploits and proof-of-concepts, which have been published on GitHub (sorted by the most recently updated).
None
Python Ruby
None
Python
A super simple Cisa KEV lookup CLI tool leveraging DuckDB
Python
archive of github.com/jonaslejon/malicious-pdf
Python
Manage OWASP Dependency-Track policy idempotent.
Makefile Go Dockerfile
None
Python HTML
Набор скриптов для парсинга агрегаторов уязвимостей и выгрузки информации в YouTrack
Python
Ostorlab KEV: One-command to detect most remotely known exploitable vulnerabilities. Sourced from CISA KEV, Google's Tsunami, Ostorlab's Asteroid and Bug Bounty programs.
cisa-kev vulnerability 0day cisa exploits
Openvas XML Report Converter is a flask-based microweb page that helps using openvasreporting to convert xml reports exported from Greenbone Security Assistant into xlsx workbooks, docx documents or csv files.
flask openvasreporting dropzone flask-session bootstrap-flask
Python CSS JavaScript HTML
💀 Generate a bunch of malicious pdf files with phone-home functionality. Can be used with Burp Collaborator or Interact.sh
penetrationtesting pentesting pentesting-tools penetration-testing penetration-test pdf-generation pdf bugbounty bugbounty-tool python redteam redteaming scanner
Python
Automatic monitor github cve using Github Actions
Python
Results are limited to the first 15 repositories due to potential performance issues.
The following list is the news that have been mention
CVE-2021-28550 vulnerability anywhere in the article.
-
CybersecurityNews
Online PDF Editors Safe to Use? Detailed Analysis of Security Risks Associated With It
Online PDF editors have become common tools for quick document manipulation, providing convenient alternatives to desktop software. However, their cloud-based nature brings significant security vulner ... Read more
The following table lists the changes that have been made to the
CVE-2021-28550 vulnerability over time.
Vulnerability history details can be useful for understanding the evolution of a vulnerability, and for identifying the most recent changes that may impact the vulnerability's severity, exploitability, or other characteristics.
-
Modified Analysis by [email protected]
Feb. 13, 2025
Action Type Old Value New Value -
CVE Modified by af854a3a-2127-422b-91ae-364da2661108
Nov. 21, 2024
Action Type Old Value New Value Added Reference https://helpx.adobe.com/security/products/acrobat/apsb21-29.html -
Modified Analysis by [email protected]
Jul. 29, 2024
Action Type Old Value New Value Changed CPE Configuration AND OR cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows:-:*:*:*:*:*:*:* OR *cpe:2.3:a:adobe:acrobat_dc:*:*:*:*:continuous:*:*:* versions from (including) 15.008.20082 up to (including) 21.001.20150 *cpe:2.3:a:adobe:acrobat_reader_dc:*:*:*:*:continuous:*:*:* versions from (including) 15.008.20082 up to (including) 21.001.20150 AND OR *cpe:2.3:a:adobe:acrobat_dc:*:*:*:*:continuous:*:*:* versions from (including) 15.008.20082 up to (including) 21.001.20150 *cpe:2.3:a:adobe:acrobat_reader_dc:*:*:*:*:continuous:*:*:* versions from (including) 15.008.20082 up to (including) 21.001.20150 OR cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows:-:*:*:*:*:*:*:* Changed CPE Configuration AND OR cpe:2.3:o:apple:macos:-:*:*:*:*:*:*:* cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows:-:*:*:*:*:*:*:* OR *cpe:2.3:a:adobe:acrobat:*:*:*:*:classic:*:*:* versions from (including) 17.011.30059 up to (including) 17.011.30194 *cpe:2.3:a:adobe:acrobat:*:*:*:*:classic:*:*:* versions from (including) 20.001.30005 up to (including) 20.001.30020 *cpe:2.3:a:adobe:acrobat_reader:*:*:*:*:classic:*:*:* versions from (including) 17.011.30059 up to (including) 17.011.30194 *cpe:2.3:a:adobe:acrobat_reader:*:*:*:*:classic:*:*:* versions from (including) 20.001.30005 up to (including) 20.001.30020 AND OR *cpe:2.3:a:adobe:acrobat:*:*:*:*:classic:*:*:* versions from (including) 17.011.30059 up to (including) 17.011.30194 *cpe:2.3:a:adobe:acrobat:*:*:*:*:classic:*:*:* versions from (including) 20.001.30005 up to (including) 20.001.30020 *cpe:2.3:a:adobe:acrobat_reader:*:*:*:*:classic:*:*:* versions from (including) 17.011.30059 up to (including) 17.011.30194 *cpe:2.3:a:adobe:acrobat_reader:*:*:*:*:classic:*:*:* versions from (including) 20.001.30005 up to (including) 20.001.30020 OR cpe:2.3:o:apple:macos:-:*:*:*:*:*:*:* cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows:-:*:*:*:*:*:*:* -
CVE Modified by [email protected]
May. 14, 2024
Action Type Old Value New Value -
CVE Modified by [email protected]
Nov. 07, 2023
Action Type Old Value New Value Added CVSS V3 Adobe Systems Incorporated AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:H Removed CVSS V3.1 Adobe Systems Incorporated AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:H -
Initial Analysis by [email protected]
Sep. 15, 2021
Action Type Old Value New Value Added CVSS V2 Metadata Victim must voluntarily interact with attack mechanism Added CVSS V2 NIST (AV:N/AC:M/Au:N/C:P/I:P/A:P) Added CVSS V3.1 NIST AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H Changed Reference Type https://helpx.adobe.com/security/products/acrobat/apsb21-29.html No Types Assigned https://helpx.adobe.com/security/products/acrobat/apsb21-29.html Release Notes, Vendor Advisory Added CPE Configuration AND OR *cpe:2.3:a:adobe:acrobat_dc:*:*:*:*:continuous:*:*:* versions from (including) 15.008.20082 up to (including) 21.001.20150 *cpe:2.3:a:adobe:acrobat_reader_dc:*:*:*:*:continuous:*:*:* versions from (including) 15.008.20082 up to (including) 21.001.20150 OR cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows:-:*:*:*:*:*:*:* Added CPE Configuration AND OR *cpe:2.3:a:adobe:acrobat:*:*:*:*:classic:*:*:* versions from (including) 17.011.30059 up to (including) 17.011.30194 *cpe:2.3:a:adobe:acrobat:*:*:*:*:classic:*:*:* versions from (including) 20.001.30005 up to (including) 20.001.30020 *cpe:2.3:a:adobe:acrobat_reader:*:*:*:*:classic:*:*:* versions from (including) 17.011.30059 up to (including) 17.011.30194 *cpe:2.3:a:adobe:acrobat_reader:*:*:*:*:classic:*:*:* versions from (including) 20.001.30005 up to (including) 20.001.30020 OR cpe:2.3:o:apple:macos:-:*:*:*:*:*:*:* cpe:2.3:o:microsoft:windows:-:*:*:*:*:*:*:* Added CPE Configuration AND OR *cpe:2.3:a:adobe:acrobat_dc:*:*:*:*:continuous:*:*:* versions from (including) 15.008.20082 up to (including) 21.001.20150 *cpe:2.3:a:adobe:acrobat_reader_dc:*:*:*:*:continuous:*:*:* versions from (including) 15.008.20082 up to (including) 21.001.20150 OR cpe:2.3:o:apple:macos:-:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
Vulnerability Scoring Details
Base CVSS Score: 8.8
Base CVSS Score: 9.6
Base CVSS Score: 6.8
Exploit Prediction
EPSS is a daily estimate of the probability of exploitation activity being observed over the next 30 days.
22.40 }} -3.17%
score
0.95585
percentile