PatchTheCVECVE-2008-2992: Adobe Reader and Acrobat Input Validation Vulnerability
CVE-2008-2992 is a high-severity flaw (CVSS 7.8) affecting acrobat, acrobat reader, solaris, reported as exploited in the wild. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.
Stack-based buffer overflow in Adobe Acrobat and Reader 8.1.2 and earlier allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a PDF file that calls the util.printf JavaScript function with a crafted format string argument, a related issue to CVE-2008-1104.
Why this priority
- High severity
- EPSS top 1%: very likely to be exploited
- Exploited in the wild (CISA KEV)
- Used in ransomware campaigns
- Public exploit reference
A fixed release or distro patch exists.
Risk facts
| CVSS score | 7.8 (High) |
| Attack vector | Local |
| Attack complexity | Low |
| Privileges needed | None |
| User interaction | Required |
| EPSS exploit chance | 99.8% (top 1%) |
| CISA exploited list | Yes, fix due 2022-03-24, used in ransomware |
| Weakness | CWE-787 |
| Published | 2008-11-04 |
| Last modified | 2026-06-16 |
Last updated 2026-06-16 · Sources: CVE Program, NVD, CISA KEV, EPSS and vendor advisories · How we score
Am I affected?
Timeline
- Published CVE record published
- Exploited Added to the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities list
- Deadline CISA due date for US federal agencies to patch
- Updated Record last modified
Exact fixes by distribution
Public exploits and detection
Public code exists for this CVE. Treat unpatched systems as at risk, and only run PoCs in a lab.
- GitHub PoC: Jonas-Holmberg/CVE-2008-2992 (0 stars)
- Exploit-DB: Adobe - 'util.printf()' Local Buffer Overflow (Metasploit) (1)
- Exploit-DB: Adobe - 'util.printf()' Local Buffer Overflow (Metasploit) (2)
- Exploit-DB: Adobe Reader - 'util.printf()' JavaScript Function Stack Overflow (1)
- Exploit-DB: Adobe Reader - 'util.printf()' JavaScript Function Stack Overflow (2)
- Metasploit: Adobe util.printf() Buffer Overflow
- Metasploit: Adobe util.printf() Buffer Overflow
Scores and fixes here are computed automatically from those and other public sources. Confirm with the vendor advisory before changing production systems.
Quick answers
How do I fix CVE-2008-2992?
acrobat: upgrade to newer than 8.1.2; acrobat reader: upgrade to newer than 8.1.2; solaris: mitigate or apply the listed mitigation. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.
Is CVE-2008-2992 being exploited?
Yes. CVE-2008-2992 is on the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities list, so treat it as patch-now.
What does CVE-2008-2992 affect?
CVE-2008-2992 affects acrobat, acrobat reader, solaris. Severity is high (CVSS 7.8). Stack-based buffer overflow in Adobe Acrobat and Reader 8.1.2 and earlier allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a PDF file that calls the util.printf JavaScript function with a crafted format string argument, a related issue
How urgent is CVE-2008-2992?
Priority 87/100. High severity; EPSS top 1%: very likely to be exploited; Exploited in the wild (CISA KEV); Used in ransomware campaigns; Public exploit reference
Software pages
Adobe Acrobat vulnerabilities · Adobe Reader vulnerabilities
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