Adobe Reader and Acrobat Arbitrary Code Execution
CVE-2010-0188 is a high-severity vulnerability in Acrobat from Adobe, with a CVSS 3.1 base score of 7.8 out of 10. It can be exploited with local access to the system by an attacker with a low-privileged account, without any action from a user. The record lists versions 8.2.1, 9.3.1 as the first without the flaw, so updating Acrobat to one of those releases or later removes the exposure. CISA added it to the Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalogue on March 3, 2022, which means attacks have been observed in the wild, including in ransomware campaigns.
Attackers are already exploiting this vulnerability, according to CISA.
What to do
- Update Acrobat to 8.2.1 or 9.3.1, whichever matches your release line, or a later version.
- Update Acrobat Reader to 8.2.1 or 9.3.1, whichever matches your release line, or a later version.
- CISA's required action: Apply updates per vendor instructions.
Affected products and versions
| Vendor | Product | Affected versions | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adobe | Acrobat | 8.0 up to, but not including, 8.2.1; 9.0 up to, but not including, 9.3.1 | 8.2.1, 9.3.1 |
| Adobe | Acrobat Reader | 8.0 up to, but not including, 8.2.1; 9.0 up to, but not including, 9.3.1 | 8.2.1, 9.3.1 |
Version data comes from NVD's product matching. Confirm against the vendor advisory before deciding you are unaffected.
How the severity score breaks down
- Attack vector
- LocalThe attacker needs local access or must trick a user into running something.
- Attack complexity
- LowNo special conditions are needed; the attack works reliably.
- Privileges required
- LowA basic user account is enough.
- User interaction
- NoneNo action by a victim is required.
- Scope
- UnchangedImpact stays within the vulnerable component.
- Confidentiality
- HighAll data handled by the component can be read.
- Integrity
- HighData or code can be modified at will.
- Availability
- HighThe component can be taken down completely.
Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H. Scored by NVD.
| Scoring system | Score | Severity | Scored by |
|---|---|---|---|
| CVSS 3.1 | 7.8 | High | NVD |
| CVSS 3.1 | 7.8 | High | CISA (ADP) |
| CVSS 2.0 | 9.3 | High | NVD |
Official description
Unspecified vulnerability in Adobe Reader and Acrobat 8.x before 8.2.1 and 9.x before 9.3.1 allows attackers to cause a denial of service (application crash) or possibly execute arbitrary code via unknown vectors.
Source: the CVE record as published by its numbering authority, via NVD and CVE.org.
Timeline
- CVE record published.
- CISA published its SSVC assessment (exploitation: active, automatable: no, technical impact: total).
- Added to CISA's Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalogue.
- Deadline for US federal agencies to remediate, set by CISA.
- Record last changed materially (score, affected products, status or references).
References
Third-party and government advisories
- lists.opensuse.org/opensuse-security-announce/2010-03/msg00004.htmlMailing List, Third Party Advisory
- exchange.xforce.ibmcloud.com/vulnerabilities/56297Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry
- cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog?field_cve=CVE-2010-0188US Government Resource
Other vulnerabilities in Acrobat
- 8.8 High severity
- 7.8 High severity
- 7.8 High severity
- 7.8 High severity
- 7.8 High severity
- 7.8 High severity
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