Adobe Reader and Acrobat Sandbox Bypass
CVE-2014-0546 is a critical-severity vulnerability in Acrobat from Adobe, with a CVSS 3.1 base score of 9.8 out of 10. It can be exploited remotely over the network by an unauthenticated attacker, without any action from a user. The record lists versions 10.1.11, 11.0.08 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 May 25, 2022, which means attacks have been observed in the wild.
Attackers are already exploiting this vulnerability, according to CISA.
What to do
- Update Acrobat to 10.1.11 or 11.0.08, whichever matches your release line, or a later version.
- Update Acrobat Reader to 10.1.11 or 11.0.08, whichever matches your release line, or a later version.
- CISA's required action: Apply updates per vendor instructions.
- Read the advisory on helpx.adobe.com for workarounds and exact fixed builds.
- Until you can update, restrict network access to the affected service so it is not reachable from untrusted networks.
Affected products and versions
| Vendor | Product | Affected versions | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adobe | Acrobat | 10.0 up to, but not including, 10.1.11; 11.0 up to, but not including, 11.0.08 | 10.1.11, 11.0.08 |
| Adobe | Acrobat Reader | 10.0 up to, but not including, 10.1.11; 11.0 up to, but not including, 11.0.08 | 10.1.11, 11.0.08 |
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
- NetworkCan be exploited remotely over a network, including the internet.
- Attack complexity
- LowNo special conditions are needed; the attack works reliably.
- Privileges required
- NoneNo account or login is needed.
- 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:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H. Scored by NVD.
| Scoring system | Score | Severity | Scored by |
|---|---|---|---|
| CVSS 3.1 | 9.8 | Critical | NVD |
| CVSS 3.1 | 8.8 | High | CISA (ADP) |
| CVSS 2.0 | 10.0 | High | NVD |
Official description
Adobe Reader and Acrobat 10.x before 10.1.11 and 11.x before 11.0.08 on Windows allow attackers to bypass a sandbox protection mechanism, and consequently execute native code in a privileged context, via unspecified vectors.
Source: the CVE record as published by its numbering authority, via NVD and CVE.org.
Timeline
- CVE record published.
- Added to CISA's Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalogue.
- Deadline for US federal agencies to remediate, set by CISA.
- CISA published its SSVC assessment (exploitation: active, automatable: no, technical impact: total).
- Record last changed materially (score, affected products, status or references).
References
Third-party and government advisories
- cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog?field_cve=CVE-2014-0546US Government Resource
Other references
- github.com/cisagov/vulnrichment/issues/199Issue Tracking
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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