Adobe Acrobat Reader up to 5.0 util.printf memory corruption

CVSS Meta Temp Score
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CTI Interest Score
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7.5$0-$5k0.00

Summaryinfo

A vulnerability was found in Adobe Acrobat Reader up to 5.0. It has been declared as critical. Affected by this issue is the function util.printf. Executing a manipulation can lead to memory corruption. This vulnerability appears as CVE-2008-2992. In addition, an exploit is available. It is recommended to upgrade the affected component.

Detailsinfo

A vulnerability classified as critical was found in Adobe Acrobat Reader up to 5.0 (Document Reader Software). This vulnerability affects the function util.printf. The manipulation with an unknown input leads to a memory corruption vulnerability. The CWE definition for the vulnerability is CWE-119. The product performs operations on a memory buffer, but it can read from or write to a memory location that is outside of the intended boundary of the buffer. As an impact it is known to affect confidentiality, integrity, and availability. CVE summarizes:

Stack-based buffer overflow in Adobe Acrobat and Reader 8.1.2 and earlier allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a PDF file that calls the util.printf JavaScript function with a crafted format string argument, a related issue to CVE-2008-1104.

The weakness was presented 11/04/2008 by Dyon Balding (Website). The advisory is shared for download at us-cert.gov. This vulnerability was named CVE-2008-2992 since 07/02/2008. The attack can be initiated remotely. No form of authentication is required for a successful exploitation. Technical details and also a public exploit are known.

After immediately, there has been an exploit disclosed. It is possible to download the exploit at exploit-db.com. It is declared as attacked. As 0-day the estimated underground price was around $25k-$100k. The vulnerability scanner Nessus provides a plugin with the ID 40802 (Adobe Acrobat < 8.1.3 Multiple Vulnerabilities), which helps to determine the existence of the flaw in a target environment. It is assigned to the family Windows and running in the context l. The commercial vulnerability scanner Qualys is able to test this issue with plugin 116027 (Adobe Acrobat/Reader "util.printf()" Buffer Overflow Vulnerability (APSB08-19)). This issue was added on 03/03/2022 to the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities Catalog with a due date of 03/24/2022:

Apply updates per vendor instructions.

Upgrading eliminates this vulnerability. A possible mitigation has been published before and not just after the disclosure of the vulnerability. Attack attempts may be identified with Snort ID 21438. Furthermore it is possible to detect and prevent this kind of attack with TippingPoint and the filter 6833.

The vulnerability is also documented in the databases at X-Force (46316), Exploit-DB (6994), Tenable (40802), SecurityFocus (BID 32091†) and OSVDB (49520†). See VDB-3863, VDB-42639, VDB-45323 and VDB-44870 for similar entries. VulDB is the best source for vulnerability data and more expert information about this specific topic.

Productinfo

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CPE 2.3info

CPE 2.2info

CVSSv4info

VulDB Vector: 🔍
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

CVSSv3info

VulDB Meta Base Score: 7.6
VulDB Meta Temp Score: 7.5

VulDB Base Score: 7.3
VulDB Temp Score: 7.0
VulDB Vector: 🔍
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

NVD Base Score: 7.8
NVD Vector: 🔍

ADP CISA Base Score: 7.8
ADP CISA Vector: 🔍

CVSSv2info

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Exploitinginfo

Class: Memory corruption
CWE: CWE-119
CAPEC: 🔍
ATT&CK: 🔍

Physical: Partially
Local: Yes
Remote: Yes

Availability: 🔍
Access: Public
Status: Attacked
Download: 🔍

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Nessus ID: 40802
Nessus Name: Adobe Acrobat < 8.1.3 Multiple Vulnerabilities
Nessus File: 🔍
Nessus Risk: 🔍
Nessus Family: 🔍
Nessus Context: 🔍

OpenVAS ID: 800051
OpenVAS Name: Adobe Reader/Acrobat Multiple Vulnerabilities - Nov08 (Linux)
OpenVAS File: 🔍
OpenVAS Family: 🔍

Saint ID: exploit_info/adobe_util_printf
Saint Name: Adobe Acrobat util.printf JavaScript function buffer overflow

Qualys ID: 🔍
Qualys Name: 🔍

MetaSploit ID: adobe_utilprintf.rb
MetaSploit Name: Adobe util.printf() Buffer Overflow
MetaSploit File: 🔍

Exploit-DB: 🔍

Threat Intelligenceinfo

Interest: 🔍
Active Actors: 🔍
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Countermeasuresinfo

Recommended: Upgrade
Status: 🔍

0-Day Time: 🔍
Exploit Delay Time: 🔍
Snort ID: 21438
Snort Message: EXPLOIT-KIT Blackhole exploit kit JavaScript carat string splitting with hostile applet
Snort Class: 🔍

Suricata ID: 2015671
Suricata Class: 🔍
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TippingPoint: 🔍

McAfee IPS: 🔍
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ISS Proventia IPS: 🔍
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Timelineinfo

07/02/2008 🔍
11/03/2008 +125 days 🔍
11/03/2008 +0 days 🔍
11/03/2008 +0 days 🔍
11/03/2008 +0 days 🔍
11/04/2008 +0 days 🔍
11/04/2008 +0 days 🔍
11/04/2008 +0 days 🔍
11/04/2008 +0 days 🔍
11/08/2008 +4 days 🔍
05/19/2009 +191 days 🔍
08/28/2009 +101 days 🔍
03/17/2015 +2027 days 🔍
04/22/2026 +4054 days 🔍

Sourcesinfo

Vendor: adobe.com

Advisory: us-cert.gov
Researcher: Dyon Balding
Status: Confirmed
Confirmation: 🔍

CVE: CVE-2008-2992 (🔍)
GCVE (CVE): GCVE-0-2008-2992
GCVE (VulDB): GCVE-100-44848

OVAL: 🔍

CERT: 🔍
X-Force: 46316
SecurityFocus: 32091 - RETIRED: Adobe Acrobat and Reader 'util.printf()' Remote Buffer Overflow Vulnerability
Secunia: 35163 - Nortel Media Processing Server Adobe Reader Multiple Vulnerabilities, Moderately Critical
OSVDB: 49520 - Adobe Reader / Acrobat util.printf() Function Crafted PDF File Handling Overflow
SecurityTracker: 1021140
Vulnerability Center: 19947 - Adobe Acrobat and Reader <8.1.3 Stack-Based Buffer Overflow Allows Remote Code Execution, Medium
Vupen: ADV-2008-3001

scip Labs: https://www.scip.ch/en/?labs.20161013
See also: 🔍

Entryinfo

Created: 03/17/2015 16:11
Updated: 04/22/2026 04:09
Changes: 03/17/2015 16:11 (88), 10/15/2018 06:45 (24), 04/23/2024 06:45 (24), 07/16/2024 22:38 (12), 09/09/2024 22:29 (2), 11/10/2024 13:44 (1), 01/25/2025 18:55 (1), 05/12/2025 21:38 (1), 04/22/2026 04:09 (11)
Complete: 🔍
Cache ID: 216::103

VulDB is the best source for vulnerability data and more expert information about this specific topic.

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