CVE-2021-28639

What it is

Acrobat Reader DC versions 2021.005.20054 (and earlier), 2020.004.30005 (and earlier) and 2017.011.30197 (and earlier) are affected by an Use-after-free 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.

At a glance

Exploitability

Can be exploited locally on the machine without logging in, but needs a user to act. High risk of data exposure, data tampering, service disruption.

Exploit odds

66.1% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days (EPSS). Higher than most.

Fix

A patch, advisory or fixed version is referenced. Upgrade or apply it.

Timeline

1. 2021-03-16 00:00 UTC ReservedThe CVE id was reserved by its CNA
2. 2021-08-20 19:15 UTC PublishedDisclosed publicly on CVE.org and NVD
3. 2026-06-17 03:46 UTC Last updatedMost recent change to the record

Why it ranks here

• Exploited in the wild: no, CISA does not list it.
• Exploit odds: 66.1% in the next 30 days (EPSS).
• Severity: 7.8 HIGH (CVSS).
• Fix: a patch or advisory is linked.

Details

Published

2021-08-20 19:15 UTC

Last modified

2026-06-17 03:46 UTC

Exploit probability

66.1% · EPSS, next 30 days

Weakness

CWE-416 · Use after free

Record status

Modified

Affected

• Adobe Acrobat Dc ≤ 21.005.20054
• Adobe Acrobat Dc ≤ 17.011.30197
• Adobe Acrobat Dc ≤ 20.004.30005
• Adobe Acrobat Reader Dc ≤ 21.005.20054
• Adobe Acrobat Reader Dc ≤ 17.011.30197
• Adobe Acrobat Reader Dc ≤ 20.004.30005

Attack profile CVSS 3.1 · 7.8

Attack vector

Local

Complexity

Low

Privileges needed

None

User interaction

Required

Scope

Unchanged

Confidentiality

High

Integrity

High

Availability

High

Is it in your code?

Hand this to your coding agent. It searches your project for the affected products and checks versions. Nothing leaves your machine.

Read https://cve-list.com/agent/cve/CVE-2021-28639.md and follow it. Check whether this project is affected by CVE-2021-28639. Read only. Don't change anything and don't upload my code. Tell me yes, no or not sure, with the file as proof.

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