# CVE-2026-81994: Adobe Acrobat Reader prototype pollution arbitrary file read

Source: https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-81994-adobe-acrobat-reader-prototype-pollution-arbitrary-file-read  
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-2026-81994 · Severity: high · CVSS 8.2 · Published 2026-09-08

Adobe Acrobat Reader contains a prototype pollution vulnerability that could allow an attacker to read sensitive files outside the intended access boundaries. An attacker would need to trick a user into opening a specially crafted PDF file to exploit this flaw. Successful exploitation could expose confidential documents, credentials, or other sensitive information stored on the affected system.

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-2026-81994 exploited in the wild?** No. Junglewise Threat Intelligence has no report of CVE-2026-81994 being exploited in the wild.

**How severe is CVE-2026-81994?** High severity, with a CVSS score of 8.2, published 8 September 2026.

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

**Is there a fix for CVE-2026-81994?** 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-2026-81994 attacked?** It is attacked with local access.

**Am I affected by CVE-2026-81994?** 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 prototype pollution flaw (CWE-1321) that allows improper modification of object prototype attributes in Acrobat Reader. The attack vector is local, requiring user interaction—the victim must open a malicious PDF file for exploitation to succeed. Once triggered, the vulnerability enables arbitrary file system reads, allowing an attacker to access files and directories outside the intended scope. The scope is changed, indicating the vulnerability can impact other assets or components. Adobe has issued security advisory APSB26-141 with patch information.

## 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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