Adobe
CVE-2009-0927
HIGH
Vulnerability Assessment
| Weakness |
CWE
OWASP Top 10:2025
A03:2021 - Injection
ASVS 5.0
V5 - Validation, Sanitization and Encoding Input validation, output encoding, parameterized queries
|
| Impact | High risk for unpatched systems. Adobe Reader was ubiquitous in 2009, and PDF-based attacks were the primary vector for targeted intrusions. The vulnerability was widely weaponized by APT groups and cybercriminal operations. |
| Exploit ScenarioDerived | A spear-phishing email delivers a crafted PDF attachment. When the victim opens it in vulnerable Adobe Reader, the JavaScript payload triggers the stack overflow, drops a backdoor, and establishes command-and-control communication. |
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Alert meAnalysisAIv1 – Mar 26, 2026
Adobe Reader and Acrobat 9.x, 8.x, and 7.x contain a stack-based buffer overflow in the getIcon method of the Collab object that allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a crafted PDF argument.
Earlier versions of this analysis (1)
A stack-based buffer overflow in Adobe Reader and Acrobat's JavaScript engine, specifically in the getIcon method of the Collab object, enables remote code execution through malicious PDF files.
RemediationAI
Upgrade to patched Adobe Reader/Acrobat versions. Modern systems should use alternative PDF readers with sandboxing. Disable JavaScript execution in PDF readers where possible.
Affects your stack
Find out whether the stacks and servers you run are on an affected version.
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Technical ContextAI · show details
The CWE-20 vulnerability is triggered when a PDF contains JavaScript that calls Collab.getIcon() with an overly long argument, overflowing the stack buffer and allowing the attacker to control the instruction pointer for arbitrary code execution.
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- Exploit and PoC references, threat intelligence from 22 sources
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Severity by source
AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
Primary rating from NVD · only source for this CVE.
CVSS VectorNVD
Lifecycle Timeline
4DescriptionCVE.org
Stack-based buffer overflow in Adobe Reader and Adobe Acrobat 9 before 9.1, 8 before 8.1.3 , and 7 before 7.1.1 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a crafted argument to the getIcon method of a Collab object, a different vulnerability than CVE-2009-0658.
Executive ViewAI
Organizations using Adobe Reader and Adobe Acrobat 9 face significant risk from CVE-2009-0927, a input validation vulnerability rated CVSS 8.8. Successful exploitation could significantly impact the confidentiality, integrity, or availability of affected systems. This vulnerability is actively exploited in the wild (KEV-listed) and requires immediate remediation. A patch is available and should be applied as part of regular vulnerability management.
Apply vendor patch. If immediate patching is not feasible: (1) Implement network-level access controls to limit exposure; (2) Enable enhanced monitoring and alerting; (3) Apply principle of least privilege.
Threat Intelligence Overview
NVD
CVE.org
CISA KEV
EPSS
Exploit-DB
VulDB
How this decision was reached
The engine reads each signal below and applies a fixed list of rules from top to bottom. The first rule that matches sets the recommended action – like a statement, every line is shown.
What every action level means
SSVC AssessmentENISA
Priority Score
Attack Technique
A buffer overflow occurs when a program writes more data to a memory buffer than it was allocated to hold, causing the excess data to spill into adjacent memory regions.
Remote Code Execution represents the critical moment when an attacker successfully runs arbitrary code on a target system without physical access.
Affected Products (CPE)CVE.org
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Use-after-free vulnerability in Adobe Flash Player before 13.0.0.269 and 14.x through 16.x before 16.0.0.305 on Windows
Use-after-free vulnerability in the DisplayObject class in the ActionScript 3 (AS3) implementation in Adobe Flash Player
Unspecified vulnerability in Adobe Flash Player through 13.0.0.262 and 14.x, 15.x, and 16.x through 16.0.0.287 on Window
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GitHub PoC