CVE-2024-20729
Adobe Acrobat Reader Continuous vulnerability analysis and mitigation

Overview

A use-after-free vulnerability (CVE-2024-20729) was discovered in Adobe Acrobat Reader versions 20.005.30539, 23.008.20470 and earlier. The vulnerability was discovered by KPC of Cisco Talos and was publicly disclosed on February 15, 2024. The vulnerability affects the Annot3D functionality in Adobe Acrobat Reader, specifically when handling 3D type images in PDF documents (Talos Report).

Technical details

The vulnerability exists in the Annot3D functionality of Adobe Acrobat Reader. When a page contains a 3D type image, the PDF Reader creates an Annot3D object. The issue occurs when a specially crafted Javascript code inside a malicious PDF document triggers reuse of a previously freed object, leading to memory corruption. The vulnerability has been assigned a CVSS v3.1 base score of 7.8 (HIGH) with the vector string CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H and is classified as CWE-416 (Use After Free) (NVD).

Impact

Successful exploitation of this vulnerability could result in arbitrary code execution in the context of the current user. Depending on the memory layout of the process, attackers could potentially gain arbitrary read and write access to memory, which could be leveraged for code execution (Talos Report).

Mitigation and workarounds

Adobe has released security updates to address this vulnerability. Users should update to the latest version of Adobe Acrobat and Reader. The fixes are available through Adobe's security bulletin APSB24-07 (Adobe Advisory).

Additional resources


SourceThis report was generated using AI

Related Adobe Acrobat Reader Continuous vulnerabilities:

CVE ID

Severity

Score

Technologies

Component name

CISA KEV exploit

Has fix

Published date

CVE-2025-64785HIGH8.4
  • Adobe Acrobat Reader ContinuousAdobe Acrobat Reader Continuous
  • cpe:2.3:a:adobe:acrobat_reader
NoYesDec 09, 2025
CVE-2025-64899HIGH7.8
  • Adobe Acrobat Reader ContinuousAdobe Acrobat Reader Continuous
  • cpe:2.3:a:adobe:acrobat_reader_dc:*:*:*:*:continuous:*:*:*
NoYesDec 09, 2025
CVE-2025-54257HIGH7.8
  • Adobe Acrobat Reader ContinuousAdobe Acrobat Reader Continuous
  • cpe:2.3:a:adobe:acrobat_reader
NoYesSep 09, 2025
CVE-2025-64787MEDIUM4
  • Adobe Acrobat Reader ContinuousAdobe Acrobat Reader Continuous
  • cpe:2.3:a:adobe:acrobat:*:*:*:*:classic:*:*:*
NoYesDec 09, 2025
CVE-2025-64786MEDIUM4
  • Adobe Acrobat Reader ContinuousAdobe Acrobat Reader Continuous
  • cpe:2.3:a:adobe:acrobat_reader_dc:*:*:*:*:continuous:*:*:*
NoYesDec 09, 2025

Free Vulnerability Assessment

Benchmark your Cloud Security Posture

Evaluate your cloud security practices across 9 security domains to benchmark your risk level and identify gaps in your defenses.

Request assessment

Get a personalized demo

Ready to see Wiz in action?

"Best User Experience I have ever seen, provides full visibility to cloud workloads."
David EstlickCISO
"Wiz provides a single pane of glass to see what is going on in our cloud environments."
Adam FletcherChief Security Officer
"We know that if Wiz identifies something as critical, it actually is."
Greg PoniatowskiHead of Threat and Vulnerability Management