Adobe · Memory corruption
Adobe Acrobat Use-After-Free Vulnerability
At a glance
Actively exploited in the wild — prioritise confirming exposure.
High rather than Critical: exposure is scored at a default because we cannot see your systems or suppliers. If you run or depend on Adobe Acrobat and Reader, treat it as Critical.
Briefing
- Do not treat uncorroborated claims as confirmed breaches.
Questions to ask IT
- Do we run Adobe Acrobat and Reader, and which versions?
- Is any of it reachable from the internet?
- Have we checked whether it has already been used against us?
- If it is still not patched, what mitigation is in place, and what is holding the fix up?
Next steps
- Confirm exposure, mitigation status and any service interruption risk.
Vulnerability facts
Full CVE detail CVE-2020-9715- 7.8 · HighExploitable only with local access without any account, but only if a user takes an action, such as opening a file or link. High impact on confidentiality, integrity and availability.CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
- Listed: attacks using it have been seen (on the catalogue since )
- Elevated attack likelihood (~33.5% in 30 days)
- 2020.009.20074 and earlier, 2017.011.30171 and earlier, 2015.006.30523 and earlier
No technical write-up beyond these facts and the summary below yet.
Next steps
- Confirm whether affected products/versions are present and prioritise patching or mitigations
Summary
- Adobe Acrobat contains a use-after-free vulnerability that allows for code execution
- CVE-2020-9715 is listed in known-exploited catalogue (exploitation in the wild)
- Authoritative catalogues report active exploitation of this vulnerability.
Why this matters in the UK
- Known-exploited catalogue reports exploitation in the wild
Products and services involved
- Adobe Acrobat and Reader86% match confidence · CVE-2020-9715
Pulse
Last checked 4d ago · Recheck overdue since 5 Nov 2026, 21:09 UK time · 4 quiet checks collapsed
in the next 30 days first recorded at 48.4% (elevated likelihood signal, not confirmed exploitation).
Elevated — confirm exposure; this is a probability signal, not confirmed exploitation.
2 quiet checks hidden.
Sources
Adobe Acrobat Use-After-Free Vulnerability
How we know
Statements extracted from sources. Higher confidence means stronger corroboration.
- ConfirmedHeadline90% confidence
Adobe Acrobat Use-After-Free Vulnerability
- ConfirmedSummary fact75% confidence
Adobe Acrobat contains a use-after-free vulnerability that allows for code execution Affects Adobe Acrobat. Known ransomware campaign use: Unknown. Required action: Apply mitigations per vendor instructions, follow applicable BOD 22-01 guidance for cloud services, or discontinue use of the product if mitigations are unavailable.
- ConfirmedCVE identifier95% confidence
Event involves CVE-2020-9715
- ConfirmedKnown-exploited catalogue98% confidence
CVE-2020-9715 is listed in known-exploited catalogue (exploitation in the wild)

