CVE-2022-27787
📋 TL;DR
This CVE describes an out-of-bounds write vulnerability in Adobe Acrobat Reader DC that could allow arbitrary code execution when a user opens a malicious PDF file. Attackers could exploit this to run malicious code with the same privileges as the current user. All users running affected versions of Acrobat Reader DC are at risk.
💻 Affected Systems
- Adobe Acrobat Reader DC
📦 What is this software?
Acrobat by Adobe
Acrobat by Adobe
Acrobat by Adobe
⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
Complete system compromise with attacker gaining full control of the victim's computer, data theft, ransomware deployment, and lateral movement within the network.
Likely Case
Malware installation leading to data exfiltration, credential theft, or system disruption for individual users who open malicious PDFs.
If Mitigated
Limited impact with proper application sandboxing, user privilege restrictions, and security software preventing successful exploitation.
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploitation requires user interaction (opening a malicious file). No public proof-of-concept has been disclosed as of the advisory date.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: 22.001.20085 (and later), 20.005.30314 (and later), 17.012.30206 (and later)
Vendor Advisory: https://helpx.adobe.com/security/products/acrobat/apsb22-16.html
Restart Required: Yes
Instructions:
1. Open Adobe Acrobat Reader DC. 2. Go to Help > Check for Updates. 3. Follow prompts to install available updates. 4. Restart the application when prompted.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Disable JavaScript in Adobe Reader
allPrevents JavaScript-based exploitation vectors that might be used in conjunction with this vulnerability
Edit > Preferences > JavaScript > Uncheck 'Enable Acrobat JavaScript'
Use Protected View
allOpen PDFs in Protected View mode to limit potential damage from malicious files
File > Open > Check 'Open in Protected View' or use default Protected View settings
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Restrict user privileges to standard user accounts (not administrator)
- Implement application whitelisting to prevent unauthorized executables from running
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check Adobe Acrobat Reader DC version via Help > About Adobe Acrobat Reader DC and compare against affected versionsCheck Version:
Windows: "C:\Program Files\Adobe\Acrobat Reader DC\Reader\AcroRd32.exe" /? (check output) | macOS: /Applications/Adobe Acrobat Reader DC.app/Contents/Info.plist (check CFBundleVersion)Verify Fix Applied:
Verify version is 22.001.20085 or later, 20.005.30314 or later, or 17.012.30206 or later📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Adobe Reader crash logs with memory access violations
- Windows Event Logs showing application crashes with exception codes like 0xC0000005
Network Indicators:
- Unusual outbound connections from Adobe Reader process
- Downloads of PDF files from suspicious sources
SIEM Query:
source="*acrobat*" AND (event_id=1000 OR exception_code="0xC0000005") OR process_name="AcroRd32.exe" AND network_connection="*"