CVE-2023-21585 : What You Need to Know

This CVE-2023-21585 relates to an out-of-bounds read vulnerability in Adobe Acrobat Reader, potentially leading to the disclosure of sensitive memory.

Understanding CVE-2023-21585

This vulnerability affects Adobe Acrobat Reader versions 22.003.20282 (and earlier), 22.003.20281 (and earlier), and 20.005.30418 (and earlier), allowing an attacker to exploit this issue by bypassing mitigations such as ASLR, requiring user interaction to open a malicious file.

What is CVE-2023-21585?

Adobe Acrobat Reader versions are susceptible to an out-of-bounds read vulnerability, enabling attackers to exploit sensitive memory and potentially disclose it. This vulnerability could be leveraged to bypass ASLR mitigations.

The Impact of CVE-2023-21585

The impact of CVE-2023-21585 includes a medium severity level with a CVSSv3.1 base score of 5.5. This vulnerability could result in the disclosure of sensitive information, compromising the confidentiality of affected systems.

Technical Details of CVE-2023-21585

This section provides a deeper insight into the vulnerability, affected systems, and the exploitation mechanism.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability in Adobe Acrobat Reader allows for an out-of-bounds read, which can lead to the exposure of sensitive memory, posing a risk of information disclosure.

Affected Systems and Versions

Adobe Acrobat Reader versions 22.003.20282, 22.003.20281, and 20.005.30418 are confirmed to be affected by this vulnerability. Users of these versions are at risk of exploitation if they interact with a malicious file.

Exploitation Mechanism

Exploitation of CVE-2023-21585 requires user interaction in the form of opening a specially crafted malicious file. Attackers could leverage this vulnerability to access sensitive memory and potentially compromise the affected system.

Mitigation and Prevention

To safeguard against CVE-2023-21585, immediate actions and long-term security practices should be implemented to mitigate the risk posed by this vulnerability.

Immediate Steps to Take

Users should ensure they are not interacting with suspicious or untrusted files, especially those received from unknown sources. It's crucial to exercise caution when opening files in Adobe Acrobat Reader to prevent potential exploitation of this vulnerability.

Long-Term Security Practices

Maintaining up-to-date software versions and implementing robust security measures can help prevent similar vulnerabilities from being exploited in the future. Regular security assessments and user awareness training are recommended for enhanced protection.

Patching and Updates

Adobe may release security patches or updates to mitigate the CVE-2023-21585 vulnerability. Users are advised to promptly apply these patches to their Adobe Acrobat Reader installations to secure their systems against potential exploitation.