#VU76563 Use-after-free in Adobe Acrobat and Adobe Reader - CVE-2022-44520

Vulnerability identifier: #VU76563

Vulnerability risk: High

CVSSv4.0: 5.7 [CVSS:4.0/AV:L/AC:L/AT:N/PR:N/UI:A/VC:H/VI:H/VA:H/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N/E:U/U:Amber]

CVE-ID: CVE-2022-44520

CWE-ID: CWE-416

Exploitation vector: Network

Exploit availability: No

Vulnerable software:
Adobe Acrobat
Client/Desktop applications / Office applications
Adobe Reader
Client/Desktop applications / Office applications

Vendor: Adobe

Description

The vulnerability allows a remote attacker to compromise vulnerable system.

The vulnerability exists due to a use-after-free error when handling Highlight Annotation noView. A remote attacker can trick the victim to open a specially crafted PDF file, trigger a use-after-free error and execute arbitrary code on the system.

Successful exploitation of the vulnerability may allow an attacker to compromise vulnerable system.

Mitigation
Install updates from vendor's website.

Vulnerable software versions

Adobe Acrobat: 15.006.30306 - 15.006.30527, 17.008.30051 - 17.012.30205, 18.009.20044, 18.009.20050, 18.011.20035, 18.011.20038, 18.011.20040, 18.011.20055, 18.011.20058, 18.011.20063, 19.008.20071, 19.008.20080, 19.008.20081, 19.010.20064, 19.010.20069, 19.010.20091, 19.010.20098, 19.010.20100, 19.012.20034, 19.012.20035, 19.012.20036, 19.012.20040, 19.021.20047, 19.021.20056, 19.021.20058, 19.021.20061, 20.001.30002 - 20.013.20074, 21.001.20135 - 21.011.20039, 22.001.20085

Adobe Reader: 21.001.20135, 21.001.20149, 21.001.20150, 21.001.20155, 21.005.20054, 21.005.20058, 21.005.20060, 21.005.20148, 21.007.20091, 21.007.20095, 21.007.20096, 21.007.20099, 21.011.20039, 22.001.20085, 2015.006.30306 - 2020.013.20074

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External links
https://www.zerodayinitiative.com/advisories/ZDI-23-736/
https://helpx.adobe.com/security/products/acrobat/apsb22-16.html

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Q & A

Can this vulnerability be exploited remotely?

Yes. This vulnerability can be exploited by a remote non-authenticated attacker via the Internet.

Is there known malware, which exploits this vulnerability?

No. We are not aware of malware exploiting this vulnerability.