Adobe · Acrobat and Reader
CVE-2009-3459
Adobe Acrobat and Reader Heap-Based Buffer Overflow Vulnerability
What it is
Heap-based buffer overflow in Adobe Reader and Acrobat 7.x before 7.1.4, 8.x before 8.1.7, and 9.x before 9.2 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a crafted PDF file that triggers memory corruption, as exploited in the wild in October 2009. NOTE: some of these details are obtained from third party information.
CISA: Adobe Acrobat and Reader contain a heap-based buffer overflow vulnerability which could allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a crafted PDF file that triggers memory corruption.
What to do
Apply mitigations per vendor instructions, follow applicable BOD 22-01 guidance for cloud services, or discontinue use of the product if mitigations are unavailable.
Deadline for US federal agencies: June 3, 2026
- Added to the CISA list
- May 20, 2026
- Published
- October 13, 2009
- Severity
- High 8.8 CVSS 3.1
- Chance of attacks in the next 30 days (EPSS)
- 87% in the top 0.3% of all known vulnerabilities
- Weakness
- CWE-119
- More details
- NVD · CVE.org · CISA
All references (12)
- http://secunia.com/advisories/36983
- https://oval.cisecurity.org/repository/search/definition/oval%3Aorg.mitre.oval%3Adef%3A6534
- http://www.us-cert.gov/cas/techalerts/TA09-286B.html
- http://securitytracker.com/id?1023007
- http://www.adobe.com/support/security/bulletins/apsb09-15.html
- http://www.iss.net/threats/348.html
- http://www.vupen.com/english/advisories/2009/2851
- http://isc.sans.org/diary.html?storyid=7300
- http://blogs.adobe.com/psirt/2009/10/adobe_reader_and_acrobat_issue_1.html
- http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/36600
- http://www.vupen.com/english/advisories/2009/2898
- https://exchange.xforce.ibmcloud.com/vulnerabilities/53691
More exploited flaws from Adobe
| Added | Vulnerability | Product | Severity | Attack chance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 13, 2026 | Prototype Pollution | Acrobat and Reader | High 8.6 | 7.2% |
| Oct 10, 2023 | Use-After-Free | Acrobat and Reader | High 7.8 | 59% |
| Sep 14, 2023 | Out-of-Bounds Write | Acrobat and Reader | High 7.8 | 6.7% |
| Jun 8, 2022 | Buffer Overflow | Acrobat and Reader | High 7.8 | 87% |
| Jun 8, 2022 | Unspecified | Acrobat and Reader | High 8.8 | 38% |
| Jun 8, 2022 | Universal 3D Remote Code Execution | Acrobat and Reader | High 8.8 | 83% |
| Jun 8, 2022 | Use-After-Free | Acrobat and Reader | High 7.8 | 82% |
| Jun 8, 2022 | Stack-Based Buffer Overflow | Acrobat and Reader | High 7.3 | 81% |
Sources: Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (CISA, public domain), CVE records (cve.org) and EPSS (FIRST). The chance of attacks is the EPSS estimate that someone will try to exploit the flaw in the next 30 days.