CVE-2025-43577: Adobe Acrobat DC RCE Vulnerability

CVE-2025-43577 Overview

CVE-2025-43577 is a Use After Free vulnerability affecting Adobe Acrobat Reader and Adobe Acrobat products across multiple versions. This memory corruption flaw could result in arbitrary code execution in the context of the current user. The vulnerability requires user interaction—specifically, a victim must open a maliciously crafted PDF file for exploitation to occur.

Critical Impact

Successful exploitation allows attackers to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the current user, potentially leading to complete system compromise, data theft, or installation of malware.

Affected Products

• Adobe Acrobat DC (Continuous) version 24.001.30235 and earlier
• Adobe Acrobat Reader DC (Continuous) version 24.001.30235 and earlier
• Adobe Acrobat (Classic) version 20.005.30763 and earlier
• Adobe Acrobat Reader (Classic) version 20.005.30763 and earlier
• Adobe Acrobat version 25.001.20521 and earlier (Windows and macOS)

Discovery Timeline

• June 10, 2025 - CVE-2025-43577 published to NVD
• June 27, 2025 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2025-43577

Vulnerability Analysis

This vulnerability is classified as CWE-416 (Use After Free), a critical class of memory corruption vulnerabilities. Use After Free conditions occur when an application continues to reference memory after it has been freed, potentially allowing an attacker to manipulate the contents of the freed memory region and redirect program execution.

In the context of Adobe Acrobat Reader, the Use After Free vulnerability exists in the PDF parsing or rendering components. When a specially crafted PDF document is opened, the application may access memory that has already been deallocated. If an attacker can control the contents of this freed memory, they can potentially achieve arbitrary code execution.

The local attack vector requires user interaction, meaning the victim must be socially engineered into opening a malicious PDF file. This could occur through phishing emails with malicious attachments, drive-by downloads, or files shared through compromised file-sharing services.

Root Cause

The root cause of CVE-2025-43577 lies in improper memory management within Adobe Acrobat Reader's core processing routines. When certain PDF elements are processed, the application frees a memory object but retains a pointer (dangling pointer) to that memory location. Subsequent operations that reference this dangling pointer access freed memory, creating an exploitable condition. Without proper validation or nullification of pointers after memory deallocation, the application remains vulnerable to memory manipulation attacks.

Attack Vector

The attack vector for CVE-2025-43577 is local, requiring user interaction. An attacker must craft a malicious PDF file that triggers the Use After Free condition when processed by vulnerable versions of Adobe Acrobat or Acrobat Reader. The exploitation scenario typically follows this pattern:

1. The attacker creates a specially crafted PDF document containing elements that trigger the vulnerability
2. The malicious PDF is delivered to the target via email attachment, malicious website, or other distribution methods
3. The victim opens the PDF with a vulnerable version of Adobe Acrobat or Acrobat Reader
4. Upon processing the malicious PDF content, the application triggers the Use After Free condition
5. The attacker's payload executes with the privileges of the current user

The vulnerability affects both Windows and macOS platforms, expanding the potential attack surface across enterprise environments.

Detection Methods for CVE-2025-43577

Indicators of Compromise

• Suspicious PDF files with unusual embedded JavaScript or action elements
• Adobe Acrobat or Reader processes spawning unexpected child processes
• Unusual network connections initiated by AcroRd32.exe or Acrobat.exe processes
• Memory access violations or application crashes in Acrobat Reader logs

Detection Strategies

• Monitor for PDF files with anomalous structural elements or embedded executable content
• Implement endpoint detection rules for suspicious process chains originating from PDF readers
• Deploy behavioral analysis to detect memory corruption exploitation attempts
• Review application crash logs for signs of exploitation attempts targeting Acrobat products

Monitoring Recommendations

• Enable enhanced logging for Adobe Acrobat and Reader applications
• Monitor file system activity for suspicious PDF files downloaded from external sources
• Implement email gateway scanning for malicious PDF attachments
• Track process execution chains and flag unexpected child processes from Acrobat applications

How to Mitigate CVE-2025-43577

Immediate Actions Required

• Update Adobe Acrobat DC to version 24.001.30236 or later
• Update Adobe Acrobat Reader DC to version 24.001.30236 or later
• Update Adobe Acrobat (Classic) to version 20.005.30764 or later
• Implement network segmentation to limit lateral movement in case of compromise
• Educate users about the risks of opening PDF files from untrusted sources

Patch Information

Adobe has released security updates addressing CVE-2025-43577 in security bulletin APSB25-57. Organizations should immediately apply the latest security patches for all affected Adobe Acrobat and Reader products. Refer to the Adobe Acrobat Security Advisory for detailed patch information and download links.

Workarounds

• Disable JavaScript execution in Adobe Acrobat Reader via Edit > Preferences > JavaScript
• Enable Protected View for all files from potentially unsafe locations
• Configure Adobe Reader to open PDF files in Protected Mode (sandbox)
• Consider using alternative PDF readers for untrusted documents until patches can be applied
• Implement application whitelisting to prevent unauthorized code execution

# Configuration example - Disable JavaScript in Adobe Acrobat Reader via registry (Windows)
reg add "HKCU\Software\Adobe\Acrobat Reader\DC\JSPrefs" /v bEnableJS /t REG_DWORD /d 0 /f

# Enable Protected View for all files (Windows)
reg add "HKCU\Software\Adobe\Acrobat Reader\DC\TrustManager" /v bEnhancedSecurityInBrowser /t REG_DWORD /d 1 /f
reg add "HKCU\Software\Adobe\Acrobat Reader\DC\TrustManager" /v bEnhancedSecurityStandalone /t REG_DWORD /d 1 /f