# CVE-2026-81979: Adobe Acrobat Reader out-of-bounds write arbitrary code execution

Source: https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-81979-adobe-acrobat-reader-out-of-bounds-write-arbitrary-code-execution  
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-2026-81979 · Severity: high · CVSS 7.8 · Published 2026-09-08

Adobe Acrobat Reader contains an out-of-bounds write vulnerability that allows an attacker to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the user running the application. An attacker can exploit this by crafting a malicious PDF file and tricking a user into opening it, leading to potential data theft, system compromise, or further malware infection.

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-2026-81979 exploited in the wild?** No. Junglewise Threat Intelligence has no report of CVE-2026-81979 being exploited in the wild.

**How severe is CVE-2026-81979?** 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-2026-81979?** 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-2026-81979 attacked?** It is attacked with local access, in a software library.

**Am I affected by CVE-2026-81979?** 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

Acrobat Reader contains an out-of-bounds write vulnerability in PDF handling code that permits memory corruption during the processing of maliciously crafted PDF files. The vulnerability requires user interaction—a victim must open a specially crafted PDF document for the flaw to be triggered. Successful exploitation allows an attacker to write data beyond allocated buffer boundaries, overwriting adjacent memory and achieving arbitrary code execution in the context of the user running Acrobat Reader. No evidence of active exploitation in the wild has been reported at this time.

## 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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