CVE-2022-27799
📋 TL;DR
This CVE describes a use-after-free vulnerability in Adobe Acrobat Reader DC's acroform event processing. If exploited, it allows arbitrary code execution in the context of the current user when a victim opens a malicious PDF file. Users of Adobe Acrobat Reader DC versions 22.001.20085 and earlier, 20.005.3031x and earlier, and 17.012.30205 and earlier are affected.
💻 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.
Likely Case
Malicious code execution leading to malware installation, credential theft, or data exfiltration from the compromised system.
If Mitigated
Limited impact with proper application sandboxing, privilege separation, and endpoint protection preventing successful exploitation.
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploitation requires user interaction (opening malicious file). No public exploit code was available at disclosure time.
🛠️ 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 execution which may be used in exploitation chains
Edit > Preferences > JavaScript > Uncheck 'Enable Acrobat JavaScript'
Use Protected View
allOpens files in sandboxed mode to limit potential damage
File > Preferences > Security (Enhanced) > Enable Protected View for all files
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Restrict PDF file opening to trusted sources only using application control policies
- Implement network segmentation to limit lateral movement if exploitation occurs
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check Adobe Acrobat Reader DC version against affected versions listCheck Version:
Help > About Adobe Acrobat Reader DCVerify 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:
- Unexpected process crashes of AcroRd32.exe
- Suspicious child processes spawned from Adobe Reader
Network Indicators:
- Unexpected outbound connections from Adobe Reader process
- DNS requests to suspicious domains after PDF opening
SIEM Query:
Process Creation where Parent Process Name contains 'AcroRd32' AND Command Line contains suspicious patterns