CVE-2023-26424 in Acrobat Reader
Summary
by MITRE • 04/13/2023
Adobe Acrobat Reader versions 23.001.20093 (and earlier) and 20.005.30441 (and earlier) are affected by a Use After Free vulnerability that could result in arbitrary code execution in the context of the current user. Exploitation of this issue requires user interaction in that a victim must open a malicious file.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/09/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-26424 represents a critical use after free flaw in Adobe Acrobat Reader software that poses significant security risks to end users. This issue affects specific versions of the widely used PDF reader application, including those up to and including 23.001.20093 and 20.005.30441, making it a prevalent concern across numerous enterprise and individual computing environments. The vulnerability stems from improper memory management practices within the application's handling of PDF file objects, creating opportunities for malicious actors to exploit the software's memory allocation patterns. The flaw specifically manifests when the application attempts to access memory that has already been freed, a condition that can lead to unpredictable behavior and potential code execution.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-416, which categorizes use after free conditions as a memory safety issue where program code attempts to access memory after it has been freed by the system. In the context of Adobe Acrobat Reader, this occurs when processing malformed PDF files that trigger the application to release memory resources while simultaneously attempting to reference those same resources. This creates a race condition scenario where attackers can manipulate the application's memory state to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the currently logged-in user. The exploitation requires user interaction through opening a malicious file, making it a client-side attack vector that relies on social engineering or targeted delivery methods to succeed.
The operational impact of CVE-2023-26424 extends beyond simple code execution, as it provides attackers with a potential foothold for more sophisticated attacks within compromised systems. When successfully exploited, the vulnerability allows adversaries to run malicious code in the context of the current user, potentially enabling data theft, system compromise, or further attack progression. This vulnerability is particularly concerning in enterprise environments where Adobe Acrobat Reader is widely deployed, as a single compromised user account could provide attackers with access to sensitive documents and information. The attack surface is broad since PDF files are commonly shared through email attachments, file transfers, and web downloads, increasing the likelihood of successful exploitation.
Organizations should prioritize immediate remediation through patch management processes to address this vulnerability, as Adobe has released updates to correct the memory handling issues in affected versions. Security teams should implement network monitoring to detect potential exploitation attempts and consider temporary restrictions on PDF file handling in high-risk environments. The mitigation strategy should include user education about the dangers of opening unexpected PDF files and implementing email filtering solutions that can identify potentially malicious attachments. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to techniques involving initial access through malicious files and privilege escalation, making it a critical component of comprehensive security defense strategies that must be addressed through both technical controls and user awareness programs.