CVE-2020-9695

Adobe · Acrobat Reader

Adobe Acrobat Reader 2020 is subject to a security vulnerability that may allow for unauthorized system impact if exploited by an attacker.

Executive summary

Adobe Acrobat Reader 2020 contains a high-severity vulnerability that warrants immediate attention to prevent potential system compromise.

Vulnerability

This is a legacy vulnerability affecting Adobe Acrobat Reader that involves improper handling of file formats or system interactions. Depending on the vector, this typically requires a user to open a malicious document, making it a target for social engineering campaigns.

Business impact

A CVSS score of 7.8 indicates a high-risk vulnerability that could lead to unauthorized code execution or system instability. If exploited, an attacker could gain control over the user's workstation, potentially leading to data theft or lateral movement within the corporate network.

Remediation

Immediate Action: Update all instances of Adobe Acrobat Reader to the most recent version supported by the vendor.

Proactive Monitoring: Utilize endpoint detection and response (EDR) tools to monitor for suspicious child processes spawned by Acrobat Reader.

Compensating Controls: Disable automatic execution of JavaScript within PDF files and use application allowlisting to restrict the execution of unauthorized binaries.

Exploitation status

Public Exploit Available: false

Analyst recommendation

Despite the age of the CVE, it remains a significant risk for environments that have not maintained consistent patch cycles. Administrators should ensure that all PDF reader software is updated to the latest version to mitigate the risk of document-based attacks.