CVE-2022-28240
📋 TL;DR
CVE-2022-28240 is a use-after-free vulnerability in Adobe Acrobat Reader DC that could allow arbitrary code execution when a user opens a malicious PDF file. This affects users running vulnerable versions of Acrobat Reader DC across multiple release tracks. Successful exploitation requires user interaction but could lead to complete system compromise.
💻 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 current user, potentially leading to data theft, ransomware deployment, or persistent backdoor installation.
Likely Case
Malicious actor gains code execution on the user's system, enabling credential theft, lateral movement, or data exfiltration.
If Mitigated
No impact if users avoid opening untrusted PDF files or if security controls block malicious documents.
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploitation requires user interaction (opening malicious file). No public exploit code available at disclosure.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: 22.001.20142 or later, 20.005.3036 or later, 17.012.3024 or 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.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Disable JavaScript in PDFs
allPrevents JavaScript execution in PDF files which may mitigate some exploitation vectors
Edit > Preferences > JavaScript > Uncheck 'Enable Acrobat JavaScript'
Use Protected View
allForce all PDFs to open in Protected View mode to limit potential damage
Edit > Preferences > Security (Enhanced) > Check 'Enable Protected View at startup'
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Block PDF files from untrusted sources at email gateways and web proxies
- Implement application whitelisting to prevent unauthorized code execution
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check Help > About Adobe Acrobat Reader DC and compare version against affected rangesCheck Version:
On Windows: wmic product where name="Adobe Acrobat Reader DC" get versionVerify Fix Applied:
Verify version is 22.001.20142+, 20.005.3036+, or 17.012.3024+📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Application crashes in Acrobat Reader with memory access violations
- Unusual child processes spawned from Acrobat Reader
Network Indicators:
- Outbound connections from Acrobat Reader to suspicious domains
- DNS requests for known exploit infrastructure
SIEM Query:
source="*acrobat*" AND (event_id=1000 OR event_id=1001) AND exception_code="0xc0000005"