CVE-2023-44365
📋 TL;DR
Adobe Acrobat Reader has an uninitialized pointer vulnerability that allows arbitrary code execution when a user opens a malicious PDF file. This affects users of Adobe Acrobat Reader DC versions 23.006.20360 and earlier, and 20.005.30524 and earlier. Attackers can exploit this to run code with the victim's user privileges.
💻 Affected Systems
- Adobe Acrobat Reader DC
📦 What is this software?
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 lateral movement within the network.
Likely Case
Malware installation or data exfiltration from the compromised user's system, with attackers using crafted PDF files as initial access vectors.
If Mitigated
Limited impact with proper endpoint protection, application sandboxing, and user awareness training preventing malicious file execution.
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploitation requires user interaction (opening malicious file). No public exploit code available at time of advisory.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: 23.006.20380 for continuous track, 20.005.30539 for 2020 classic track
Vendor Advisory: https://helpx.adobe.com/security/products/acrobat/apsb23-54.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 PDF files in Protected View mode to limit potential damage
File > Open > Select file > Check 'Open in Protected View'
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Implement application whitelisting to block unauthorized PDF readers
- Deploy endpoint detection and response (EDR) to monitor for suspicious PDF file 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 23.006.20380 or higher (continuous track) OR 20.005.30539 or higher (2020 classic track)📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Unexpected process creation from AcroRd32.exe
- Multiple failed PDF parsing attempts in application logs
- Security software alerts for PDF file execution
Network Indicators:
- Outbound connections from Acrobat Reader to unknown IPs
- DNS requests for suspicious domains following PDF opening
SIEM Query:
process_name:"AcroRd32.exe" AND (parent_process_name:"explorer.exe" OR command_line:"*.pdf")