CVE-2023-21608
Confirmed PUBLISHEDAdobe Acrobat Reader DC resetForm Use-After-Free Remote Code Execution Vulnerability
Recommended Action
Prioritize remediation. Validate affected assets and apply vendor fixes on an accelerated timeline.
At a Glance
Adobe Acrobat Reader versions 22.003.20282 (and earlier), 22.003.20281 (and earlier) and 20.005.30418 (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.
- CVE Published
- Jan 18, 2023
- Exploitation Reported
- Oct 10, 2023
- CVSS
- 7.8 High
- EPSS
- 61.5%
Affected Versions
| Vendor | Product | Version | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adobe |
Acrobat Reader
|
unspecified to <= 20.005.30418 |
Affected |
| Adobe |
Acrobat Reader
|
unspecified to <= 22.003.20282 |
Affected |
| Adobe |
Acrobat Reader
|
unspecified to <= 22.003.20281 |
Affected |
| Adobe |
Acrobat Reader
|
unspecified to <= None |
Affected |
CVE References
- helpx.adobe.com/security/products/acrobat/apsb23-01.html helpx.adobe.com · CVE Record https://helpx.adobe.com/security/products/acrobat/apsb23-01.html
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 | 2023-10-10 00:00 UTC |
Scanner Artifacts
Scanner and exploit-framework references linked to this CVE.
| Scanner | Reference | Detected |
|---|---|---|
| Nessus | https://www.tenable.com/plugins/nessus/169880 | Jun 02, 2025 |
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:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
Exploitation Status
Exploited in the wild
Recorded 2023-10-10 00:00:00 UTC · CISA
Proof of concept available
Recorded 2023-01-30 12:57:48 UTC · GitHub
Weaknesses (CWE)
-
Use After Free
Scanner Integrations
Nuclei, Metasploit, and other scanner references for this CVE are listed on the Detection tab.
Potential Proof of Concepts
These PoCs are unverified and could contain malware. Use at your own risk.
github · Created 2023-02-13 06:11:40 UTC · 11 stars
Adobe Acrobat Reader - CVE-2023-21608 - Remote Code Execution Exploit
github · Created 2023-01-30 12:57:48 UTC · 272 stars
Adobe Acrobat Reader - CVE-2023-21608 - Remote Code Execution Exploit
Timeline
Key exploitation, disclosure, scanner coverage, and KEV attestation events for this CVE.
-
09:26 UTC about 1 year ago09:26 UTC · about 1 year ago
Nessus plugin available
Scanner coverage available
-
00:00 UTC almost 3 years ago00:00 UTC · almost 3 years ago
Added to CISA KEV
Listed in the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog
-
12:57 UTC over 3 years ago12:57 UTC · over 3 years ago
Public PoC available
Public proof-of-concept code published
-
00:00 UTC over 3 years ago00:00 UTC · over 3 years ago
CVE published
Vulnerability disclosed publicly
-
00:00 UTC over 3 years ago00:00 UTC · over 3 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-2023-21608
{
"cve_id": "CVE-2023-21608",
"title": "Adobe Acrobat Reader DC resetForm Use-After-Free Remote Code Execution Vulner...",
"affected_vendor": "Adobe",
"affected_product": "Acrobat Reader",
"affected_versions": [
{ "vendor": "...", "product": "...", "status": "affected", "display_label": "..." }
],
"confidence": "Confirmed",
"cvss_score": 7.8,
"epss_score": 0.61475,
"exploit_status": {
"exploited_in_the_wild": true,
"active_exploitation_observed": false
},
"sensor_telemetry": { "...": "Pro API fields" },
"proof_of_concepts": [ "..." ],
"scanner_integrations": [ "..." ]
}