CVE-2024-41869 in Acrobat Reader
Summary
by MITRE • 09/13/2024
Acrobat Reader versions 24.002.21005, 24.001.30159, 20.005.30655, 24.003.20054 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 • 03/10/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-41869 represents a critical use after free flaw in Adobe Acrobat Reader software affecting multiple version releases including 24.002.21005, 24.001.30159, 20.005.30655, and 24.003.20054 and earlier. This type of vulnerability occurs when a program continues to reference memory after it has been freed, creating a scenario where attackers can manipulate the freed memory location to execute malicious code. The flaw specifically resides within the document processing components of Acrobat Reader, which handle various file formats including pdf documents that users commonly encounter in professional and personal environments. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-416 as a use after free condition, which is a well-documented weakness in software security that has been exploited in numerous high-profile incidents. The attack vector requires user interaction, meaning victims must actively open a maliciously crafted file for exploitation to occur, making this vulnerability particularly dangerous in targeted phishing campaigns or social engineering attacks.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution, as it allows attackers to operate with the privileges of the currently logged-in user, potentially enabling full system compromise. When an attacker successfully exploits this use after free vulnerability, they can gain arbitrary code execution capabilities that may include installing malware, modifying system files, accessing sensitive data, or creating backdoors for persistent access. The memory corruption aspect of this flaw means that attackers can potentially overwrite critical memory structures or inject their own code into the running Acrobat Reader process, effectively hijacking the application's execution flow. This type of vulnerability is particularly concerning in enterprise environments where Acrobat Reader is frequently used to process documents from external sources, making it a prime target for advanced persistent threat actors. The requirement for user interaction limits the scope of automated exploitation but does not eliminate the risk, as social engineering techniques can effectively bypass user awareness and security measures.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2024-41869 should prioritize immediate software updates from Adobe, as the vendor has likely released patches addressing this specific vulnerability. Organizations should implement strict document handling policies that restrict the opening of untrusted pdf files, particularly those received via email or downloaded from unverified sources. Security teams should deploy endpoint protection solutions with advanced threat detection capabilities that can identify suspicious file behavior patterns and prevent exploitation attempts. Network-based controls including web proxies and email gateways should be configured to scan and block potentially malicious pdf documents before they reach end-user systems. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1204.002 which involves user execution through malicious files, making it essential for security operations to focus on both endpoint protection and user awareness training. Additionally, system administrators should consider implementing application whitelisting policies that restrict execution of unauthorized software, including older versions of Acrobat Reader that may be vulnerable. Regular vulnerability assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to identify and remediate similar issues in other software applications that may be running on the network infrastructure.