CVE-2026-81992: Adobe Acrobat Reader heap-based buffer overflow

CVE-2026-81992 · Severity: high · CVSS 7.8 · Published 2026-09-08

Adobe Acrobat Reader contains a heap-based buffer overflow vulnerability that allows attackers to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the user running the application. Exploitation requires a victim to open a malicious PDF file, making social engineering the primary attack vector. Successful exploitation could lead to complete system compromise, theft of sensitive documents, or installation of malware.

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-2026-81992 exploited in the wild?
No. Junglewise Threat Intelligence has no report of CVE-2026-81992 being exploited in the wild.
How severe is CVE-2026-81992?
High severity, with a CVSS score of 7.8, published 8 September 2026.
Which products and versions are affected?
Adobe Acrobat Reader <UNKNOWN>.
Is there a fix for CVE-2026-81992?
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-2026-81992 attacked?
It is attacked with local access.
Am I affected by CVE-2026-81992?
Check whether you run Adobe Acrobat, Adobe Acrobat Reader, Adobe Acrobat Dc or one of the others listed at an affected version. 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 is vulnerable to a heap-based buffer overflow in PDF processing logic, likely in document parsing or rendering components. The vulnerability is triggered when processing specially crafted PDF files, allowing an attacker to overwrite heap memory and achieve arbitrary code execution in the context of the current user. Attack preconditions require user interaction: a victim must open the malicious PDF file. No network-based exploitation path exists. The vulnerability has not been observed exploited in the wild as of the advisory publication date, though patches should be applied promptly to mitigate risk.

Affected products

  • Adobe Acrobat Reader <UNKNOWN>

Timeline

  • 2026-09-08: disclosed
  • 2026-09-08: advisory: Published as CVE-2026-81992

References

This page as Markdown. Free to reuse under CC BY 4.0 with a link back.