CVE-2025-27174: Adobe Acrobat RCE Vulnerability

CVE-2025-27174 Overview

CVE-2025-27174 is a Use After Free vulnerability affecting Adobe Acrobat Reader that could allow attackers to achieve arbitrary code execution in the context of the current user. This memory corruption flaw requires user interaction, specifically that a victim must open a malicious PDF file crafted by an attacker. The vulnerability impacts both the Classic and Continuous tracks of Adobe Acrobat and Acrobat Reader across Windows and macOS platforms.

Critical Impact

Successful exploitation enables attackers to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the current user, potentially leading to full system compromise, data theft, or malware installation through malicious PDF documents.

Affected Products

• Adobe Acrobat versions 24.001.30225 and earlier (Classic)
• Adobe Acrobat Reader versions 20.005.30748 and earlier (Classic)
• Adobe Acrobat DC versions 25.001.20428 and earlier (Continuous)
• Adobe Acrobat Reader DC (Continuous track)
• Microsoft Windows (all supported versions)
• Apple macOS (all supported versions)

Discovery Timeline

• 2025-03-11 - CVE-2025-27174 published to NVD
• 2025-04-28 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2025-27174

Vulnerability Analysis

This Use After Free (CWE-416) vulnerability occurs when Adobe Acrobat Reader continues to reference memory after it has been freed. When a user opens a specially crafted PDF document, the application may attempt to access memory that has already been deallocated, leading to undefined behavior that attackers can exploit to execute arbitrary code.

The vulnerability requires local access, meaning an attacker must convince a user to open a malicious file delivered through email, web download, or other means. No special privileges are required to exploit this vulnerability, but user interaction is mandatory. If successfully exploited, the attacker gains the ability to execute code with full confidentiality, integrity, and availability impact within the context of the logged-in user.

Root Cause

The root cause is a Use After Free condition (CWE-416) within Adobe Acrobat Reader's PDF processing engine. This type of vulnerability typically arises when the application frees an object but retains a reference (dangling pointer) to that memory location. Subsequent operations that dereference this pointer can lead to memory corruption, which attackers can leverage for code execution by controlling the contents of the freed memory region.

Attack Vector

The attack vector is local, requiring an attacker to deliver a maliciously crafted PDF file to the victim. Common delivery methods include:

• Phishing emails with malicious PDF attachments
• Drive-by downloads from compromised or malicious websites
• Social engineering to convince users to download and open the file
• Distribution through file-sharing platforms or removable media

Once the victim opens the malicious PDF in a vulnerable version of Adobe Acrobat or Acrobat Reader, the Use After Free condition is triggered. The attacker can manipulate heap memory layout to place controlled data in the freed memory region, enabling arbitrary code execution when the dangling pointer is dereferenced.

Detection Methods for CVE-2025-27174

Indicators of Compromise

• Unusual Adobe Acrobat or Acrobat Reader process crashes followed by unexpected child process execution
• PDF files with suspicious JavaScript or embedded objects that trigger abnormal memory operations
• Unexpected outbound network connections from Adobe Acrobat processes
• Creation of suspicious files or registry entries following PDF document opening

Detection Strategies

• Monitor for abnormal process behavior from Acrobat.exe or AcroRd32.exe, particularly spawning of unexpected child processes
• Implement endpoint detection rules that flag suspicious heap manipulation patterns in PDF rendering processes
• Deploy behavioral analysis to detect code execution attempts originating from document readers
• Use memory protection technologies to detect Use After Free exploitation attempts

Monitoring Recommendations

• Enable enhanced logging for Adobe Acrobat and Acrobat Reader processes on endpoints
• Configure SIEM alerts for suspicious PDF-related activity, including unusual process chains
• Implement file integrity monitoring for directories commonly used by Adobe applications
• Monitor for exploitation attempts using SentinelOne's behavioral AI engine, which can detect memory corruption attacks in real-time

How to Mitigate CVE-2025-27174

Immediate Actions Required

• Update Adobe Acrobat and Acrobat Reader to the latest patched versions immediately
• Enable Protected Mode and Protected View in Adobe Acrobat Reader settings
• Block or quarantine suspicious PDF files at email gateways and web proxies
• Educate users about the risks of opening PDF files from untrusted sources
• Consider temporarily restricting JavaScript execution in PDF files via Adobe preferences

Patch Information

Adobe has released security updates addressing this vulnerability in security bulletin APSB25-14. Organizations should update to the following versions or later:

• Acrobat DC and Acrobat Reader DC (Continuous): Version 25.001.20432 or later
• Acrobat 2024 and Acrobat Reader 2024 (Classic): Version 24.001.30235 or later
• Acrobat 2020 and Acrobat Reader 2020 (Classic): Version 20.005.30763 or later

Workarounds

• Enable Protected View for all files by navigating to Edit > Preferences > Security (Enhanced) and selecting "Files from potentially unsafe locations"
• Disable JavaScript in Adobe Acrobat/Reader via Edit > Preferences > JavaScript and unchecking "Enable Acrobat JavaScript"
• Use alternative PDF readers that are not affected until patches can be applied
• Implement application whitelisting to prevent unauthorized code execution from exploited processes
• Deploy SentinelOne endpoint protection to detect and block exploitation attempts through behavioral analysis