# CVE-2026-80161: Adobe Acrobat Reader type confusion vulnerability

Source: https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-80161-adobe-acrobat-reader-type-confusion-vulnerability  
Publisher: Junglewise Threat Intelligence, https://junglewise.ai/threats  
Published: 2026-09-08. Updated: 2026-09-26  
License: CC BY 4.0 with a link back

CVE-2026-80161 · Severity: high · CVSS 7.8 · Published 2026-09-08

Adobe Acrobat Reader contains a type confusion flaw that allows attackers to execute arbitrary code with user privileges. An attacker must trick a user into opening a malicious PDF file to trigger the vulnerability, potentially compromising the user's system and data.

Technologies: [Adobe Acrobat](https://junglewise.ai/threats/technologies/acrobat), [Adobe Acrobat Reader](https://junglewise.ai/threats/technologies/acrobat-reader), [Adobe Acrobat Dc](https://junglewise.ai/threats/technologies/acrobat-dc), [Adobe Acrobat Reader Dc](https://junglewise.ai/threats/technologies/acrobat-reader-dc), [Apple macOS](https://junglewise.ai/threats/technologies/macos), [Microsoft Windows](https://junglewise.ai/threats/technologies/windows). Vendors: [Adobe](https://junglewise.ai/threats/vendors/adobe), [Apple](https://junglewise.ai/threats/vendors/apple), [Microsoft](https://junglewise.ai/threats/vendors/microsoft).

## Quick answers

**Is CVE-2026-80161 exploited in the wild?** No. Junglewise Threat Intelligence has no report of CVE-2026-80161 being exploited in the wild.

**How severe is CVE-2026-80161?** High severity, with a CVSS score of 7.8, published 8 September 2026.

**Which products and versions are affected?** Adobe Acrobat Reader.

**Is there a fix for CVE-2026-80161?** No fixed version is recorded yet. Check the vendor's advisory in the references below. If you run it, Junglewise drafts a mitigation that fits your setup and applies it once you approve, with senior security engineers behind it.

**How is CVE-2026-80161 attacked?** It is attacked with local access, in a software library.

**Am I affected by CVE-2026-80161?** Check whether you run Adobe Acrobat, Adobe Acrobat Reader, Adobe Acrobat Dc or one of the others listed. Junglewise does that check for you around the clock: connect your code, cloud and domains, and it matches new vulnerabilities like this one against what you actually run and tells you when one reaches you.

## Technical details

The vulnerability is a type confusion issue (CWE-843) affecting Acrobat Reader's file parsing logic. An attacker can craft a malicious PDF that exploits improper type handling to achieve arbitrary code execution in the context of the logged-in user. The attack requires user interaction—specifically opening a malicious file—and no additional authentication or network access is needed beyond file delivery. A successful exploit grants the attacker code execution at user privilege level, potentially allowing data theft, system compromise, or lateral movement.

## Affected products

- Adobe Acrobat Reader

## Timeline

- 2026-09-08: disclosed

## References

- [https://helpx.adobe.com/security/products/acrobat/apsb26-141.html](https://helpx.adobe.com/security/products/acrobat/apsb26-141.html)

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