CVE-2023-44367 is a Use After Free (CWE-416) vulnerability identified in Adobe Acrobat Reader, affecting versions 23.006.20360 and earlier, as well as 20.005.30524 and earlier. The vulnerability arises when the software improperly manages memory, allowing an attacker to manipulate freed memory regions. This can lead to arbitrary code execution within the context of the current user. The attack vector requires user interaction, specifically the opening of a maliciously crafted PDF file designed to trigger the use-after-free condition. The vulnerability does not require any prior authentication or elevated privileges, making it accessible to remote attackers who can convince users to open malicious documents. The CVSS v3.1 base score of 7.8 reflects high severity, with metrics indicating local attack vector (AV:L), low attack complexity (AC:L), no privileges required (PR:N), required user interaction (UI:R), unchanged scope (S:U), and high impact on confidentiality (C:H), integrity (I:H), and availability (A:H). No public exploit code or active exploitation has been reported yet, but the nature of the vulnerability and the popularity of Acrobat Reader make it a prime target for future exploitation. The vulnerability could be leveraged to deploy malware, ransomware, or conduct espionage by compromising affected systems. Adobe has not yet published patches at the time of this report, increasing the urgency for defensive measures.

For European organizations, the impact of CVE-2023-44367 is significant due to the widespread use of Adobe Acrobat Reader across public and private sectors. Successful exploitation could lead to arbitrary code execution, enabling attackers to steal sensitive data, disrupt operations, or establish persistent footholds. Sectors such as government, finance, healthcare, and critical infrastructure are particularly at risk due to their reliance on PDF documents for communication and documentation. The vulnerability threatens confidentiality by potentially exposing sensitive information, integrity by allowing unauthorized code execution and manipulation, and availability by enabling denial-of-service conditions or ransomware deployment. The requirement for user interaction means social engineering or phishing campaigns could be used to deliver malicious PDFs, increasing the attack surface. The absence of known exploits in the wild currently limits immediate risk but does not preclude rapid weaponization. European organizations with less mature patch management or user awareness programs are especially vulnerable.

1. Monitor Adobe security advisories closely and apply official patches immediately upon release to remediate the vulnerability. 2. Implement strict email and web filtering to block or quarantine suspicious PDF attachments from untrusted sources. 3. Employ endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions with behavior-based detection to identify exploitation attempts targeting Acrobat Reader. 4. Configure Adobe Acrobat Reader with enhanced security settings, such as disabling JavaScript execution within PDFs and enabling Protected Mode or sandboxing features. 5. Conduct targeted user awareness training emphasizing the risks of opening unsolicited or unexpected PDF files, especially from unknown senders. 6. Use application whitelisting to restrict execution of unauthorized code and scripts that could be triggered by exploitation. 7. Consider network segmentation to limit lateral movement if a system is compromised via this vulnerability. 8. Regularly audit and update software inventories to identify and remediate vulnerable versions promptly. 9. For high-risk environments, consider alternative PDF viewers with a smaller attack surface until patches are available.