CVE-2020-9715 in Acrobat Reader
Summary
by MITRE
Adobe Acrobat and Reader versions 2020.009.20074 and earlier, 2020.001.30002, 2017.011.30171 and earlier, and 2015.006.30523 and earlier have an use-after-free vulnerability. Successful exploitation could lead to arbitrary code execution .
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/14/2026
Adobe Acrobat and Reader applications contain a critical use-after-free vulnerability identified as CVE-2020-9715 affecting multiple version ranges including 2020.009.20074 and earlier, 2020.001.30002, 2017.011.30171 and earlier, and 2015.006.30523 and earlier. This vulnerability arises from improper memory management within the software's handling of specific objects, creating a scenario where memory locations are accessed after they have been freed by the application's memory allocator. The flaw manifests when the software processes certain crafted PDF files that trigger the use-after-free condition during object cleanup operations. This memory corruption vulnerability falls under the CWE-416 identifier for use-after-free conditions and represents a significant risk to system security as it enables attackers to manipulate memory contents and potentially execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the affected user.
The exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when a malicious actor delivers a specially crafted PDF document to an unpatched user, who then opens the document using Adobe Acrobat or Reader. During the processing of the malformed PDF, the application's memory management routines fail to properly track object references, allowing freed memory to be reallocated and subsequently accessed by the attacker-controlled code. This creates an opportunity for attackers to inject and execute malicious code within the application's memory space, potentially leading to complete system compromise. The vulnerability's impact is amplified by the widespread use of Adobe Reader across enterprise environments and individual users, making it an attractive target for cybercriminals seeking to exploit the application's extensive user base.
From an operational standpoint, this vulnerability presents a severe threat to organizations relying on Adobe Reader for document processing and viewing. The use-after-free condition can be leveraged to bypass modern security mitigations such as address space layout randomization and data execution prevention mechanisms, particularly when attackers employ sophisticated exploitation techniques including return-oriented programming or just-in-time compilation attacks. The vulnerability's exploitation requires minimal user interaction beyond opening the malicious document, making it particularly dangerous in phishing campaigns or targeted attacks against high-value targets. Security analysts have noted that this vulnerability aligns with attack patterns documented in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under the T1059.007 technique for command and scripting interpreter, as successful exploitation often involves executing malicious payloads through the compromised application.
Organizations should immediately implement comprehensive mitigation strategies to address CVE-2020-9715. The most effective approach involves deploying the latest security patches provided by Adobe, which address the underlying memory management issues through proper object reference tracking and memory deallocation procedures. Additionally, implementing application whitelisting policies that restrict Adobe Reader execution to trusted environments, disabling unnecessary features such as JavaScript execution, and employing sandboxing techniques can significantly reduce the attack surface. Network-based mitigations including web application firewalls and content filtering solutions should be configured to block suspicious PDF content and prevent automatic execution of potentially malicious documents. Security monitoring should include detection of unusual memory access patterns and anomalous behavior in Acrobat processes, while regular security assessments should verify proper patch deployment across all affected systems. The vulnerability's classification as a critical risk by security vendors underscores the importance of immediate remediation efforts to prevent potential exploitation in real-world attack scenarios.