CVE-2021-21017
Confirmed PUBLISHEDAcrobat Reader DC Heap-based Buffer Overflow Vulnerability Could Lead To Arbitrary Code Execution
Recommended Action
Prioritize remediation. Validate affected assets and apply vendor fixes on an accelerated timeline.
At a Glance
Acrobat Reader DC versions versions 2020.013.20074 (and earlier), 2020.001.30018 (and earlier) and 2017.011.30188 (and earlier) are affected by a heap-based buffer overflow vulnerability. An unauthenticated attacker could leverage this vulnerability to achieve 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.
- CVE Published
- Feb 11, 2021
- Exploitation Reported
- Nov 03, 2021
- CVSS
- 8.8 High
- EPSS
- —
Affected Versions
| Vendor | Product | Version | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adobe |
Acrobat Reader
|
unspecified to <= 2020.013.20074 |
Affected |
| Adobe |
Acrobat Reader
|
unspecified to <= 2020.001.30018 |
Affected |
| Adobe |
Acrobat Reader
|
unspecified to <= 2017.011.30188 |
Affected |
| Adobe |
Acrobat Reader
|
unspecified to <= None |
Affected |
CVE References
- helpx.adobe.com/security/products/acrobat/apsb21-09.html helpx.adobe.com · CVE Record https://helpx.adobe.com/security/products/acrobat/apsb21-09.html
Recommended Actions
- Prioritize remediation. Validate affected assets and apply vendor fixes on an accelerated timeline.
- Check enrichment artifacts for scanner coverage and available PoCs before rolling remediation validation.
- Use the Pro API to automate enrichment, telemetry, and workflow delivery for VM, SOC, and CTI pipelines.
Known Exploited Vulnerability Sources
Catalogues that list this CVE as a known exploited vulnerability.
Per-source evidence links for KEV attestations are available through the KEVIntel Pro API.
Learn about Pro API access| Source | Added |
|---|---|
| CISA First | 2021-11-03 00:00 UTC |
No detection artifacts or sensor request patterns are available for this CVE yet.
Check back as sensor telemetry and scanner integrations are updated.
Virtual Patch
Compensating WAF rules to help reduce exposure to this CVE. Rule content and deployable vendor exports are available with KEVIntel Enterprise.
KEVIntel does not currently have a virtual patch for this CVE. When available, KEVIntel virtual patches ship as deployable ModSecurity, Cloudflare, and AWS WAF rules.
Enterprise feature. Virtual patch rule content and deployable vendor exports (ModSecurity, Cloudflare, AWS WAF) are available to KEVIntel Enterprise users.
CVSS Scores
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
Exploitation Status
Exploited in the wild
Recorded 2021-11-03 00:00:00 UTC · CISA
Proof of concept available
Recorded 2021-02-26 14:18:13 UTC · GitHub
Weaknesses (CWE)
-
Heap-based Buffer Overflow
Potential Proof of Concepts
These PoCs are unverified and could contain malware. Use at your own risk.
github · Created 2022-03-29 14:45:16 UTC · 0 stars
github · Created 2021-02-26 14:18:13 UTC · 43 stars
Timeline
Key exploitation, disclosure, scanner coverage, and KEV attestation events for this CVE.
-
00:00 UTC over 4 years ago00:00 UTC · over 4 years ago
Added to CISA KEV
Listed in the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog
-
14:18 UTC over 5 years ago14:18 UTC · over 5 years ago
Public PoC available
Public proof-of-concept code published
-
19:42 UTC over 5 years ago19:42 UTC · over 5 years ago
CVE published
Vulnerability disclosed publicly
-
00:00 UTC over 5 years ago00:00 UTC · over 5 years ago
CVE ID reserved
Identifier reserved by the CNA
Automate This Intelligence with the Pro API
Confidence scoring, exploit status, sensor telemetry, PoCs, scanner integrations, mentions, and tags are available programmatically for VM, SOC, and CTI workflows.
Pro API Example
GET /api/v2/pro/kevs/CVE-2021-21017
{
"cve_id": "CVE-2021-21017",
"title": "Acrobat Reader DC Heap-based Buffer Overflow Vulnerability Could Lead To Arbi...",
"affected_vendor": "Adobe",
"affected_product": "Acrobat Reader",
"affected_versions": [
{ "vendor": "...", "product": "...", "status": "affected", "display_label": "..." }
],
"confidence": "Confirmed",
"cvss_score": 8.8,
"epss_score": null,
"exploit_status": {
"exploited_in_the_wild": true,
"active_exploitation_observed": false
},
"sensor_telemetry": { "...": "Pro API fields" },
"proof_of_concepts": [ "..." ],
"scanner_integrations": [ "..." ]
}