CVE-2026-81988: Adobe Acrobat Reader use-after-free

CVE-2026-81988 · Severity: high · CVSS 7.8 · Published 2026-09-08

Adobe Acrobat Reader contains a use-after-free memory flaw that allows arbitrary code execution when a user opens a malicious PDF file. An attacker can exploit this to run commands with the same privileges as the logged-in user, potentially leading to data theft, system compromise, or further network intrusion. User interaction (opening a crafted PDF) is required for exploitation.

Technologies: Adobe Acrobat, Adobe Acrobat Reader, Adobe Acrobat Dc, Adobe Acrobat Reader Dc, Apple macOS, Microsoft Windows. Vendors: Adobe, Apple, Microsoft.

Quick answers

Is CVE-2026-81988 exploited in the wild?
No. Junglewise Threat Intelligence has no report of CVE-2026-81988 being exploited in the wild.
How severe is CVE-2026-81988?
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-2026-81988?
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-2026-81988 attacked?
It is attacked with local access.
Am I affected by CVE-2026-81988?
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

A use-after-free vulnerability exists in Adobe Acrobat Reader's memory management, allowing an attacker to reference freed memory and execute arbitrary code in the context of the current user. The vulnerability is triggered when a victim opens a specially crafted PDF file. No authentication or special network access is required beyond the user opening the malicious document. The flaw enables arbitrary code execution with the privileges of the user running Acrobat Reader. Patches are expected to be available from Adobe.

Affected products

  • Adobe Acrobat Reader

Timeline

  • 2026-09-08: disclosed

References

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