CVE-2021-35981 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

Adobe Acrobat Reader DC versions 2021.005.20054 and earlier, 2020.004.30005 and earlier, and 2017.011.30197 and earlier are impacted by a Use-after-free vulnerability. This vulnerability could be exploited by an unauthenticated attacker to execute arbitrary code within the current user's context. User interaction is required for exploitation, as the victim must open a malicious file.

Understanding CVE-2021-35981

This section provides insights into the impact and technical details of the CVE.

What is CVE-2021-35981?

CVE-2021-35981 affects Adobe Acrobat Reader DC versions with the potential for arbitrary code execution by leveraging a Use-after-free vulnerability. The attacker can execute code in the victim's context.

The Impact of CVE-2021-35981

The vulnerability poses a high severity risk, with a CVSS base score of 7.8. An attacker could achieve arbitrary code execution with high impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability.

Technical Details of CVE-2021-35981

This section delves into the vulnerability description, affected systems, versions, and the exploitation mechanism.

Vulnerability Description

The Use-after-free vulnerability in Adobe Acrobat Reader DC allows for arbitrary code execution in the user's context, potentially leading to unauthorized access.

Affected Systems and Versions

Adobe Acrobat Reader DC versions 2021.005.20054, 2020.004.30005, and 2017.011.30197 (and earlier) are known to be affected by this CVE.

Exploitation Mechanism

Exploiting this vulnerability requires an unauthenticated attacker to trick a victim into opening a specifically crafted malicious file, ultimately leading to arbitrary code execution.

Mitigation and Prevention

This section outlines immediate steps to secure systems and prevent exploitation.

Immediate Steps to Take

Users are advised to update Adobe Acrobat Reader DC to the latest version and refrain from opening files from untrusted sources to mitigate the risk of exploitation.

Long-Term Security Practices

Implementing secure file handling policies and user awareness training regarding phishing emails and malicious attachments can enhance long-term security.

Patching and Updates

Regularly applying security patches and updates from Adobe is crucial to addressing known vulnerabilities and enhancing system security.