Security readout for executives and security teams
Plain-English summary
This vulnerability lets an attacker turn access to a Windows user session into higher system-level control through Adobe Acrobat Reader DC. It is not described as remotely exploitable by itself, but it matters on endpoints because successful abuse could delete files or potentially run code as SYSTEM.
Executive priority
Treat this as a high-priority endpoint patching issue, especially where Adobe Reader is broadly deployed. It is not presented as internet-routable or actively exploited in the provided sources, but SYSTEM-level impact makes delayed remediation risky on user workstations.
Technical view
CVE-2020-24433 affects Adobe Acrobat Reader DC 2020.012.20048 and earlier, 2020.001.30005 and earlier, and 2017.011.30175 and earlier. The CVE describes improper access control in an installer component, enabling local privilege escalation with user interaction and potential arbitrary file deletion or SYSTEM code execution.
Likely exposure
Exposure is most likely on managed or unmanaged endpoints running affected Adobe Acrobat Reader DC versions. Servers are less likely unless Reader is installed for interactive use. The vulnerability requires local context plus user interaction or prior access, so endpoint compromise and phishing scenarios are the main concern.
Exploitation context
The provided sources do not show CISA KEV listing or active exploitation. The CVSS vector is local, low complexity, no privileges required, and user interaction required. The source states attackers must socially engineer a victim or already have some access to the environment.
Researcher notes
Evidence is limited to the CVE record and Adobe advisory reference. The bundle identifies affected version ceilings and impact, but not root-cause details, exploit availability, or exact fixed builds. Avoid assuming exploitation in the wild without additional sourced evidence.
Mitigation direction
- Review Adobe APSB20-67 for the vendor-designated fixed Acrobat Reader versions.
- Upgrade or remove Adobe Acrobat Reader DC versions at or below the affected releases.
- Prioritize endpoints used by privileged users, shared workstations, and VDI images.
- Limit user exposure to untrusted installers and files pending update completion.
- Confirm software inventory and patch tooling report Adobe Reader accurately.
Validation and detection
- Inventory installed Adobe Acrobat Reader DC versions across endpoints.
- Compare findings to 2020.012.20048, 2020.001.30005, and 2017.011.30175 thresholds.
- Check whether Adobe APSB20-67 updates are deployed successfully.
- Review endpoint management data for vulnerable Reader versions after remediation.
- Document any systems requiring exception handling or vendor guidance.
Public sources used
Generated from the cited source records. This long-tail analysis has not been individually reviewed by a named human.
Conservative CVE-to-ATT&CK context
These mappings and lookup hints may be relevant to the vulnerability behavior, CWE, affected product, or exposure path. Glexia-inferred context is not an official MITRE, ATT&CK, CWE, or CVE Program mapping.
ATT&CK lookup starting points
Use these exact CWE pages and searches to review the Glexia ATT&CK library from this CVE's weakness and description context.
CWE-284: Authorization and privilege behavior lookup
Authorization weaknesses can support privilege escalation and valid-account review, depending on exploit path. Open the exact CWE lookup page first, then review the ATT&CK searches from that MITRE weakness context. This is a Glexia lookup hint, not an official ATT&CK mapping.
Open ATT&CK lookupExecution behavior lookup
The CVE wording references code or command execution, so execution technique review may help defensive triage. This is a Glexia inferred lookup path, not an official MITRE, ATT&CK, or CVE Program mapping.
Open ATT&CK lookupPrivilege behavior lookup
The CVE wording references privilege impact, so privilege escalation and authorization behavior review may help. This is a Glexia inferred lookup path, not an official MITRE, ATT&CK, or CVE Program mapping.
Open ATT&CK lookupCVE-2020-24433 mapping review
Open the CVE-to-ATT&CK bridge for reviewed, inferred, or future official mappings tied to this CVE.
Open ATT&CK lookup- Severity
- High
- CVSS
- 7.8 (3.1)
- Known Exploited
- No
- Published
Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
CNA and ADP enrichment extracted from CVE v5
These fields come from the CVE record and ADP containers, not from Glexia's Take. They preserve time-varying source decisions such as CISA SSVC, KEV status, CVSS metrics, and provider references.
CVSS vector scores
1 official scoreWe collect every scored CVSS vector available in the official CNA and ADP containers. When more than one version is present, the table keeps the source vectors side by side instead of collapsing them into the highest score.
CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H1.85.9Primary CVE scoreVulnerability scoring details
Base CVSS 3.1 score
7.8HighVector: CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
Source materials
- CVE List V5 sourceCVE List V5
- https://helpx.adobe.com/security/products/acrobat/apsb20-67.htmlCVE reference · x_refsource_MISC
Products and packages named in the record
CWE details
CWE links open Glexia weakness intelligence pages with official CWE context, developer remediation guidance, and related CVE mappings.