Security readout for executives and security teams
Plain-English summary
This flaw affects older Adobe Acrobat Reader DC versions when a user opens a malicious file. It can expose memory information and may help an attacker bypass protections like ASLR, but it requires user interaction and is not identified as actively exploited in the supplied sources.
Executive priority
Handle through normal patch management with focused attention on users who open external documents. Business urgency is moderate because confidentiality impact is high, but exploitation requires user action and no active exploitation is evidenced here.
Technical view
CVE-2022-28253 is a CWE-125 out-of-bounds read in Acrobat Reader DC file parsing. A crafted file can cause a read past an allocated memory structure, leading to high confidentiality impact and potential mitigation bypass. CVSS 3.1 score is 5.5 with local attack vector and required user interaction.
Likely exposure
Exposure is most likely on endpoints running Acrobat Reader DC 22.001.2011x or earlier, 20.005.3033x or earlier, or 17.012.3022x or earlier, especially where users handle external PDF files.
Exploitation context
The supplied sources state exploitation requires a victim to open a malicious file. They do not show public exploitation, KEV listing, or weaponized use. Treat exploitation status as unconfirmed, not active.
Researcher notes
Key unknowns are exact fixed build numbers and any downstream product coverage beyond Acrobat Reader DC. The source bundle identifies only Acrobat Reader DC and one Adobe advisory; do not expand scope without vendor confirmation.
Mitigation direction
- Check Adobe APSB22-16 for vendor-approved fixed versions and guidance.
- Prioritize updating affected Acrobat Reader DC installations.
- Reduce user exposure to untrusted PDF files and unexpected attachments.
- Maintain endpoint controls that inspect or block suspicious documents.
Validation and detection
- Inventory Acrobat Reader DC versions across managed endpoints.
- Flag versions at or below 22.001.2011x, 20.005.3033x, or 17.012.3022x.
- Confirm remediation status against Adobe APSB22-16 guidance.
- Review document-handling workflows for users receiving external files.
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
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CWE-125: Exact CWE lookup
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Open ATT&CK lookupCVE-2022-28253 mapping review
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Open ATT&CK lookup- Severity
- Medium
- CVSS
- 5.5 (3.1)
- Known Exploited
- No
- Published
Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:N
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.
SSVC decision data
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:N/A:N1.83.6adobeVulnerability scoring details
Base CVSS 3.1 score
5.5MediumVector: CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:N
Vulnerability timeline
Timeline events are normalized from CVE metadata, CNA source timelines, ADP timelines, and KEV metadata when present.
- CVE reservedCVE Program
The CVE ID was reserved by the assigning CNA.
- CVE publishedCVE Program
The CVE record was published.
- CVE updatedCVE Program
The CVE record metadata indicates this as the latest update time.
ADP provider summaries
Source materials
- CVE List V5 sourceCVE List V5
- https://helpx.adobe.com/security/products/acrobat/apsb22-16.htmlCVE reference, adobe · 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.
Out-of-bounds Read
Out-of-bounds Read represents a recurring weakness pattern that can create exploitable paths when design, validation, or implementation controls are missing.