Adobe Acrobat up to 5.1 XML Handler OutputDebugString memory corruption

CVSS Meta Temp Score
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CTI Interest Score
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6.6$0-$5k0.00

Summaryinfo

A vulnerability classified as critical was found in Adobe Acrobat up to 5.1. The impacted element is the function OutputDebugString of the file XML Handler. The manipulation results in memory corruption. This vulnerability is identified as CVE-2004-0194. The attack can be executed remotely. Additionally, an exploit exists. Upgrading the affected component is advised.

Detailsinfo

A vulnerability was found in Adobe Acrobat up to 5.1 (Document Reader Software). It has been classified as critical. Affected is the function OutputDebugString of the file XML Handler. The manipulation with an unknown input leads to a memory corruption vulnerability. CWE is classifying the issue as 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. This is going to have an impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability. CVE summarizes:

Stack-based buffer overflow in the OutputDebugString function for Adobe Acrobat Reader 5.1 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a PDF document with XML Forms Data Format (XFDF) data.

The bug was discovered 02/07/2004. The weakness was released 03/03/2004 by David Litchfield with NGSSoftware (Website). The advisory is available at ngssoftware.com. This vulnerability is traded as CVE-2004-0194. It is possible to launch the attack remotely. The exploitation doesn't require any form of authentication. Technical details and a public exploit are known.

A public exploit has been developed by extraexploit and been published 8 years after the advisory. The exploit is shared for download at exploit-db.com. It is declared as proof-of-concept. The vulnerability was handled as a non-public zero-day exploit for at least 25 days. During that time the estimated underground price was around $25k-$100k. The commercial vulnerability scanner Qualys is able to test this issue with plugin 105012 (Adobe Acrobat Reader XFDF File Handler Buffer Overflow Vulnerability).

Upgrading eliminates this vulnerability. Applying a patch is able to eliminate this problem. The bugfix is ready for download at adobe.com. The best possible mitigation is suggested to be upgrading to the latest version. Furthermore it is possible to detect and prevent this kind of attack with TippingPoint and the filter 2747.

The vulnerability is also documented in the databases at X-Force (15384), Exploit-DB (17488), SecurityFocus (BID 9802†), OSVDB (4135†) and Secunia (SA11037†). Further details are available at lists.netsys.com. If you want to get best quality of vulnerability data, you may have to visit VulDB.

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CPE 2.3info

CPE 2.2info

CVSSv4info

VulDB Vector: 🔍
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

CVSSv3info

VulDB Meta Base Score: 7.3
VulDB Meta Temp Score: 6.6

VulDB Base Score: 7.3
VulDB Temp Score: 6.6
VulDB Vector: 🔍
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

CVSSv2info

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VulDB Base Score: 🔍
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Exploitinginfo

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

Physical: No
Local: No
Remote: Yes

Availability: 🔍
Access: Public
Status: Proof-of-Concept
Author: extraexploit
Download: 🔍

EPSS Score: 🔍
EPSS Percentile: 🔍

Price Prediction: 🔍
Current Price Estimation: 🔍

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OpenVAS ID: 831053
OpenVAS Name: Adobe Reader XFDF File Buffer Overflow Vulnerability (Mac OS X)
OpenVAS File: 🔍
OpenVAS Family: 🔍

Qualys ID: 🔍
Qualys Name: 🔍

Exploit-DB: 🔍

Threat Intelligenceinfo

Interest: 🔍
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Countermeasuresinfo

Recommended: Upgrade
Status: 🔍

0-Day Time: 🔍
Exploit Delay Time: 🔍

Patch: adobe.com
TippingPoint: 🔍

Timelineinfo

02/07/2004 🔍
03/03/2004 +25 days 🔍
03/03/2004 +0 days 🔍
03/04/2004 +1 days 🔍
03/04/2004 +0 days 🔍
03/04/2004 +0 days 🔍
03/04/2004 +0 days 🔍
03/07/2004 +2 days 🔍
03/29/2004 +22 days 🔍
07/04/2011 +2653 days 🔍
07/04/2011 +0 days 🔍
07/13/2025 +5123 days 🔍

Sourcesinfo

Vendor: adobe.com

Advisory: ngssoftware.com
Researcher: David Litchfield
Organization: NGSSoftware
Status: Confirmed

CVE: CVE-2004-0194 (🔍)
GCVE (CVE): GCVE-0-2004-0194
GCVE (VulDB): GCVE-100-546
X-Force: 15384 - Adobe Acrobat Reader XFDF buffer overflow, High Risk
SecurityFocus: 9802 - Adobe Acrobat Reader XFDF File Handler Buffer Overflow Vulnerability
Secunia: 11037 - Adobe Acrobat Reader XML Forms Data Format Buffer Overflow, Moderately Critical
OSVDB: 4135 - Adobe Acrobat Reader XFDF Overflow
SecuriTeam: securiteam.com
Vulnerability Center: 3920 - Buffer Overflow in Adobe Acrobat Reader 5.1, Medium

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

Entryinfo

Created: 03/04/2004 10:50
Updated: 07/13/2025 18:15
Changes: 03/04/2004 10:50 (97), 06/27/2019 21:15 (1), 07/13/2025 18:15 (21)
Complete: 🔍
Cache ID: 216:C42:103

If you want to get best quality of vulnerability data, you may have to visit VulDB.

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