CVE-2023-44359 is a Use After Free (CWE-416) vulnerability affecting Adobe Acrobat Reader versions 23.006.20360 and earlier, and 20.005.30524 and earlier. The vulnerability arises when the software improperly manages memory, freeing an object while it is still accessible, which can be exploited by an attacker to execute arbitrary code in the context of the current user. The attack vector requires the victim to open a maliciously crafted PDF file, which triggers the use-after-free condition. Successful exploitation can lead to full compromise of the affected system’s confidentiality, integrity, and availability, as arbitrary code execution enables installation of malware, data theft, or system disruption. The CVSS 3.1 base score is 7.8, reflecting high severity due to local attack vector (AV:L), low attack complexity (AC:L), no privileges required (PR:N), but requiring user interaction (UI:R). The scope remains unchanged (S:U), but the impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability is high (C:H/I:H/A:H). No public exploits are currently known, but the vulnerability is critical given Adobe Acrobat Reader’s widespread use for PDF handling in enterprises globally. The lack of available patches at the time of reporting increases the urgency for monitoring and interim mitigations. This vulnerability is particularly dangerous in environments where users frequently open PDFs from untrusted sources or where social engineering attacks are common. Attackers could leverage this flaw to gain footholds in corporate networks or to escalate privileges on compromised endpoints.

For European organizations, the impact of CVE-2023-44359 is significant due to the widespread use of Adobe Acrobat Reader across government, financial, healthcare, and industrial sectors. Exploitation could lead to unauthorized access to sensitive data, disruption of critical services, and potential lateral movement within networks. Confidentiality breaches could expose personal data protected under GDPR, leading to regulatory penalties and reputational damage. Integrity compromises might result in tampering with documents or business processes, while availability impacts could disrupt operations reliant on PDF workflows. The requirement for user interaction means phishing or social engineering campaigns could be effective vectors, increasing risk in sectors with high email and document exchange volumes. The absence of known exploits in the wild currently provides a window for proactive defense, but the high severity score indicates that once exploits emerge, rapid exploitation could occur. Organizations with remote or hybrid workforces may face elevated risks due to less controlled endpoint environments. Overall, the vulnerability poses a substantial threat to European entities that rely heavily on Adobe Acrobat Reader for document handling and communication.

1. Monitor Adobe’s official channels for patches addressing CVE-2023-44359 and apply updates immediately upon release. 2. Until patches are available, restrict Adobe Acrobat Reader usage to trusted documents only and educate users about the risks of opening unsolicited PDFs. 3. Implement application whitelisting to prevent execution of unauthorized code spawned by malicious PDFs. 4. Employ endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions capable of detecting use-after-free exploitation patterns and anomalous process behaviors. 5. Configure Adobe Reader’s security settings to disable JavaScript execution and other potentially exploitable features within PDFs. 6. Use network-level protections such as email filtering and sandboxing to detect and block malicious PDF attachments. 7. Enforce the principle of least privilege on user accounts to limit the impact of code execution under user context. 8. Conduct phishing awareness training focusing on the dangers of opening unexpected attachments. 9. Regularly audit and inventory Adobe Acrobat Reader versions deployed across the organization to identify and remediate vulnerable installations. 10. Consider alternative PDF readers with a smaller attack surface in high-risk environments until patches are applied.