CVE-2020-9714
📋 TL;DR
This CVE describes a security bypass vulnerability in Adobe Acrobat and Reader that could allow attackers to escalate privileges on affected systems. The vulnerability affects multiple versions of Adobe's PDF software across different release tracks. Users running vulnerable versions could have their systems compromised through malicious PDF files.
💻 Affected Systems
- Adobe Acrobat DC
- Adobe Acrobat Reader DC
- Adobe Acrobat 2017
- Adobe Acrobat Reader 2017
- Adobe Acrobat 2015
- Adobe Acrobat Reader 2015
📦 What is this software?
⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
An attacker could gain SYSTEM/root privileges on the compromised machine, enabling complete control over the system, data theft, and lateral movement within the network.
Likely Case
Local privilege escalation allowing attackers to bypass security controls, install malware, or access restricted system resources.
If Mitigated
Limited impact with proper application sandboxing, least privilege principles, and network segmentation in place.
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploitation requires user interaction (opening a malicious PDF file). No public exploit code was available at the time of the advisory.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: Acrobat DC/Reader DC: 2020.009.20075 or later; Acrobat 2017/Reader 2017: 2017.011.30172 or later; Acrobat 2015/Reader 2015: 2015.006.30524 or later
Vendor Advisory: https://helpx.adobe.com/security/products/acrobat/apsb20-48.html
Restart Required: Yes
Instructions:
1. Open Adobe Acrobat or Reader. 2. Go to Help > Check for Updates. 3. Follow the prompts to download and install available updates. 4. Restart the application when prompted. 5. Verify the update by checking Help > About Adobe Acrobat/Reader.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Disable JavaScript in Adobe Reader
allDisabling JavaScript can prevent exploitation of many PDF-based vulnerabilities
In Adobe Reader: Edit > Preferences > JavaScript > Uncheck 'Enable Acrobat JavaScript'
Use Protected View
allEnable Protected View for files from potentially unsafe locations
In Adobe Reader: Edit > Preferences > Security (Enhanced) > Enable Protected View at startup
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Restrict PDF file execution through application whitelisting
- Implement network segmentation to limit lateral movement if exploitation occurs
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check Adobe Acrobat/Reader version via Help > About Adobe Acrobat/Reader and compare against affected versions listed in the advisory.Check Version:
On Windows: wmic product where "name like 'Adobe Acrobat%' or name like 'Adobe Reader%'" get name, versionVerify Fix Applied:
Verify version is updated to patched versions: 2020.009.20075+, 2020.001.30003+, 2017.011.30172+, or 2015.006.30524+.📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Unexpected process elevation events from Acrobat/Reader processes
- Security log entries showing privilege escalation attempts
Network Indicators:
- Unusual outbound connections from Acrobat/Reader processes
- PDF files with embedded malicious content
SIEM Query:
Process creation where parent_process contains 'acrobat' or 'acrord32' and process_name contains 'cmd', 'powershell', or other suspicious child processes