CVE-2022-27797
📋 TL;DR
This CVE describes a use-after-free vulnerability in Adobe Acrobat Reader DC that could allow arbitrary code execution when processing malicious PDF files with annotations. Attackers can exploit this by tricking users into opening specially crafted PDF files, potentially gaining the same privileges as the current user. Affected versions include Acrobat Reader DC 22.001.20085 and earlier, 20.005.3031x and earlier, and 17.012.30205 and earlier.
💻 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
Full system compromise with attacker gaining the same privileges as the logged-in user, potentially leading to data theft, ransomware deployment, or lateral movement within the network.
Likely Case
Local code execution allowing malware installation, credential theft, or data exfiltration from the compromised system.
If Mitigated
Limited impact with proper application sandboxing, minimal user privileges, and network segmentation preventing lateral movement.
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploitation requires user interaction (opening malicious file). No public exploit code available at disclosure.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: 22.001.20085 (Continuous Track), 20.005.30314 (Classic Track), 17.012.30205 (Classic Track 2017)
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 untrusted PDFs in Protected View mode to limit potential damage
File > Properties > Security > Enable Protected View for untrusted documents
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Implement application whitelisting to block unauthorized PDF readers
- Use network segmentation to isolate systems running vulnerable versions
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check Adobe Reader version via Help > About Adobe Acrobat Reader DCCheck Version:
On Windows: wmic product where name="Adobe Acrobat Reader DC" get versionVerify Fix Applied:
Verify version is updated to 22.001.20085 or later (Continuous), 20.005.30314 or later (Classic 2020), or 17.012.30205 or later (Classic 2017)📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Unexpected process crashes of AcroRd32.exe
- Suspicious child processes spawned from Adobe Reader
Network Indicators:
- Outbound connections from Adobe Reader process to unknown IPs
- DNS requests for suspicious domains from PDF reader
SIEM Query:
process_name:"AcroRd32.exe" AND (event_id:1000 OR parent_process_name NOT IN ("explorer.exe", "cmd.exe"))