CVE-2009-3459: Adobe Acrobat and Reader Heap-Based Buffer Overflow Vulnerability

Published Oct 13, 2009
·
Updated

Adobe Acrobat and Reader contain a heap-based buffer overflow vulnerability which could allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a crafted PDF file that triggers memory corruption.

Other sources

Heap-based buffer overflow in Adobe Reader and Acrobat 7.x before 7.1.4, 8.x before 8.1.7, and 9.x before 9.2 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a crafted PDF file that triggers memory corruption, as exploited in the wild in October 2009. NOTE: some of these details are obtained from third party information.

Affected Software

85 affected components
Adobe Acrobat<=9.1.3
Adobe Acrobat=3.0
Adobe Acrobat=3.1
Adobe Acrobat=4.0
Adobe Acrobat=4.0.5
Adobe Acrobat=4.0.5a
Adobe Acrobat=4.0.5c
Adobe Acrobat=5.0
Adobe Acrobat=5.0.5
Adobe Acrobat=5.0.6
Adobe Acrobat=5.0.10
Adobe Acrobat=6.0
Adobe Acrobat=6.0.1
Adobe Acrobat=6.0.2
Adobe Acrobat=6.0.3
Adobe Acrobat=6.0.4
Adobe Acrobat=6.0.5
Adobe Acrobat=7.0
Adobe Acrobat=7.0.1
Adobe Acrobat=7.0.2
Adobe Acrobat=7.0.3
Adobe Acrobat=7.0.4
Adobe Acrobat=7.0.5
Adobe Acrobat=7.0.6
Adobe Acrobat=7.0.7
Adobe Acrobat=7.0.8
Adobe Acrobat=7.0.9
Adobe Acrobat=7.1.3
Adobe Acrobat=8.0
Adobe Acrobat=8.1
Adobe Acrobat=8.1.1
Adobe Acrobat=8.1.2
Adobe Acrobat=8.1.3
Adobe Acrobat=8.1.4
Adobe Acrobat=8.1.6
Adobe Acrobat=9
Adobe Acrobat=9.0.0
Adobe Acrobat=9.1
Adobe Acrobat=9.1.1
Adobe Acrobat=9.1.2
Adobe Acrobat Reader<=9.0
Adobe Reader=3.0
Adobe Reader=4.0
Adobe Reader=4.0.5
Adobe Reader=4.0.5a
Adobe Reader=4.0.5c
Adobe Reader=4.5
Adobe Reader=5.0
Adobe Reader=5.0.5
Adobe Reader=5.0.6
Adobe Reader=5.0.7
Adobe Reader=5.0.9
Adobe Reader=5.0.10
Adobe Reader=5.0.11
Adobe Reader=5.1
Adobe Reader=6.0
Adobe Reader=6.0.1
Adobe Reader=6.0.2
Adobe Reader=6.0.3
Adobe Reader=6.0.4
Adobe Reader=6.0.5
Adobe Reader=7.0.1
Adobe Reader=7.0.2
Adobe Reader=7.0.3
Adobe Reader=7.0.5
Adobe Reader=7.0.7
Adobe Reader=7.0.8
Adobe Reader=7.0.9
Adobe Reader=7.1.0
Adobe Reader=7.1.1
Adobe Reader=7.1.3
Adobe Reader=8.1.1
Adobe Reader=8.1.2
Adobe Reader=8.1.4
Adobe Reader=8.1.6
Adobe Reader=9.0
Adobe Reader=9.1
Adobe Reader=9.1.2
Adobe Acrobat and Reader
Adobe Acrobat>=7.0<7.1.4
Adobe Acrobat>=8.0<8.1.7
Adobe Acrobat>=9.0<9.2
Adobe Acrobat Reader>=7.0<7.1.4
Adobe Acrobat Reader>=8.0<8.1.7
Adobe Acrobat Reader>=9.0<9.2

Remediation

Recommended actions to resolve this vulnerability, in priority order.

  1. Upgrade

    Upgrade Adobe Reader and Acrobat to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 7.1.4
  2. Upgrade

    Upgrade Adobe Reader and Acrobat to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 8.1.7
  3. Upgrade

    Upgrade Adobe Reader and Acrobat to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 9.2
  4. Compensating control

    Follow applicable BOD 22-01 guidance for cloud services.

  5. Compensating control

    Discontinue use of the product if mitigations are unavailable.

Event History

Oct 13, 2009
CVE Published
via MITRE·10:00 AM
Data Sourced
via MITRE·10:00 AM
Description
Data Sourced
via NVD·10:30 AM
RemedyDescriptionSeverityWeaknessAffected Software
May 20, 2026
Known Exploited
via CISA·12:00 AM
Data Sourced
via CISA·12:00 AM
RemedyDescriptionAffected Software
Nov 19, 58353
Event
via NVD·12:04 AM
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Frequently Asked Questions

1

What is the severity of CVE-2009-3459?

CVE-2009-3459 is classified as a critical severity vulnerability due to its potential to allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary code.

2

How do I fix CVE-2009-3459?

To fix CVE-2009-3459, users should upgrade to Adobe Reader and Acrobat 7.1.4 or later, 8.1.7 or later, or 9.2 or later.

3

Which versions of Adobe Reader are affected by CVE-2009-3459?

CVE-2009-3459 affects Adobe Reader and Acrobat versions prior to 7.1.4, 8.1.7, and 9.2.

4

What types of attacks can exploit CVE-2009-3459?

CVE-2009-3459 can be exploited through crafted PDF files that trigger memory corruption.

5

When was CVE-2009-3459 reported to be exploited in the wild?

CVE-2009-3459 was reported to be exploited in the wild in October 2009.

Company

Resources

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