CVE-2009-0927: Adobe Reader and Adobe Acrobat Stack-Based Buffer Overflow Vulnerability

Q: How do I fix CVE-2009-0927?

acrobat reader: upgrade to 7.1.1, 8.1.3, 9.1. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Q: Is CVE-2009-0927 being exploited?

Yes. CVE-2009-0927 is on the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities list, so treat it as patch-now.

Q: What does CVE-2009-0927 affect?

CVE-2009-0927 affects acrobat reader. Severity is high (CVSS 8.8). Stack-based buffer overflow in Adobe Reader and Adobe Acrobat 9 before 9.1, 8 before 8.1.3 , and 7 before 7.1.1 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a crafted argument to the getIcon method of a Collab object, a different v

Q: How urgent is CVE-2009-0927?

Priority 86/100. High severity; EPSS top 1%: very likely to be exploited; Exploited in the wild (CISA KEV); Public exploit reference

Patch now

HIGH 8.8EXPLOITEDUPGRADE

CVE-2009-0927 is a high-severity flaw (CVSS 8.8) affecting acrobat reader, 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 Reader and Adobe Acrobat 9 before 9.1, 8 before 8.1.3 , and 7 before 7.1.1 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a crafted argument to the getIcon method of a Collab object, a different vulnerability than CVE-2009-0658.

Why this priority

High severity
EPSS top 1%: very likely to be exploited
Exploited in the wild (CISA KEV)
Public exploit reference

A fixed release or distro patch exists.

Risk facts

CVSS score	8.8 (High)
Attack vector	Network (remote)
Attack complexity	Low
Privileges needed	None
User interaction	Required
EPSS exploit chance	96.6% (top 1%)
CISA exploited list	Yes, fix due 2022-04-15
Weakness	CWE-20, CWE-121
Published	2009-03-19
Last modified	2026-06-16

Publisher (CNA): MITRE · Vendor: adobe

Last updated 2026-06-16 · Sources: CVE Program, NVD, CISA KEV, EPSS and vendor advisories · How we score

Am I affected?

Timeline

2009-03-19 10:30 UTCPublished CVE record published
2022-03-25Exploited Added to the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities list
2022-04-15Deadline CISA due date for US federal agencies to patch
2026-06-16 23:06 UTCUpdated Record last modified

adobe acrobat reader UPGRADE

Affected: >= 7.0 and < 7.1.1 · >= 8.0 and < 8.1.3 · >= 9.0 and < 9.1

Fixed in: 7.1.1, 8.1.3, 9.1

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 7.0

1. Check installed version

apt-cache policy acrobat-reader || rpm -q acrobat-reader || acrobat-reader --version

2. UPGRADE to 7.1.1 (Debian / Ubuntu)

sudo apt update && sudo apt install --only-upgrade acrobat-reader

2. UPGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

sudo dnf upgrade acrobat-reader

Note

Distros often backport fixes without changing the version number. Confirm with the distro advisory or changelog.

3. If no update is available yet, DOWNGRADE to a release before 7.0 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison acrobat-reader sudo apt install acrobat-reader=<VERSION_BEFORE_7.0> sudo apt-mark hold acrobat-reader

3. If no update is available yet, DOWNGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

dnf --showduplicates list acrobat-reader sudo dnf downgrade acrobat-reader-<VERSION_BEFORE_7.0> sudo dnf versionlock add acrobat-reader

Downgrade risk

Downgrading can break dependent software and may reopen older bugs. Read the distro advisory first and test on a non-production host.

After downgrade

Restart the service, and keep the package held until a fixed release ships.

Exact fixes by distribution

Fedora 46 · rust-ingredients · FIXED · 0.3.3-2.fc46 · FEDORA-2026-0b3d9feffd · source

sudo dnf upgrade --advisory=FEDORA-2026-0b3d9feffd

Fedora ELN · dpkg · FIXED · 1.23.11-2.eln159 · FEDORA-2026-732e4ac21b · source

sudo dnf upgrade --advisory=FEDORA-2026-732e4ac21b

Public exploits and detection

Public code exists for this CVE. Treat unpatched systems as at risk, and only run PoCs in a lab.

Exploit-DB: Adobe - 'Collab.getIcon()' Local Buffer Overflow (Metasploit) (1)
Exploit-DB: Adobe - 'Collab.getIcon()' Local Buffer Overflow (Metasploit) (2)
Exploit-DB: Adobe Acrobat Reader 8.1.2 < 9.0 - 'getIcon()' Memory Corruption
Exploit-DB: Adobe Acrobat/Reader < 7.1.1/8.1.3/9.1 - Collab getIcon Universal
Metasploit: Adobe Collab.getIcon() Buffer Overflow
Metasploit: Adobe Collab.getIcon() Buffer Overflow

Verify at the official source NVD · CVE Program · CISA KEV catalog · Report a problem with this page
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-2009-0927?

acrobat reader: upgrade to 7.1.1, 8.1.3, 9.1. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2009-0927 being exploited?

Yes. CVE-2009-0927 is on the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities list, so treat it as patch-now.

What does CVE-2009-0927 affect?

CVE-2009-0927 affects acrobat reader. Severity is high (CVSS 8.8). Stack-based buffer overflow in Adobe Reader and Adobe Acrobat 9 before 9.1, 8 before 8.1.3 , and 7 before 7.1.1 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a crafted argument to the getIcon method of a Collab object, a different v

How urgent is CVE-2009-0927?

Priority 86/100. High severity; EPSS top 1%: very likely to be exploited; Exploited in the wild (CISA KEV); Public exploit reference

Software pages

Adobe Acrobat vulnerabilities · Adobe Reader vulnerabilities

Related CVEs

CVE-2020-9695 HIGH 7.8 UPGRADE DOWNGRADE Acrobat Reader versions 2020.009.20074, 2020.001.30002, 2017.011.30171, 2015.006.30523 and earlier are affecte
CVE-2020-9711 MEDIUM 5.5 UPGRADE DOWNGRADE Acrobat Reader versions 2020.009.20074, 2020.001.30002, 2017.011.30171, 2015.006.30523 and earlier are affecte
CVE-2020-9713 MEDIUM 5.5 UPGRADE DOWNGRADE Adobe Acrobat and Reader versions 2020.009.20074 and earlier, 2020.001.30002, 2017.011.30171 and earlier, and
CVE-2025-64785 HIGH 7.8 UPGRADE UPGRADE Acrobat Reader versions 24.001.30264, 20.005.30793, 25.001.20982, 24.001.30273, 20.005.30803 and earlier are a
CVE-2025-64899 HIGH 7.8 UPGRADE UPGRADE Acrobat Reader versions 24.001.30264, 20.005.30793, 25.001.20982, 24.001.30273, 20.005.30803 and earlier are a

References

← Back to latest CVEs