Free and open · new CVEs checked every 20 minutesStatusRSSOpen dataContact

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

86
Patch now
HIGH 8.8EXPLOITEDUPGRADEUPGRADE

CVE-2009-3459 is a high-severity flaw (CVSS 8.8) affecting acrobat, 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.

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.

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 score8.8 (High)
Attack vectorNetwork (remote)
Attack complexityLow
Privileges neededNone
User interactionRequired
EPSS exploit chance86.6% (top 1%)
CISA exploited listYes, fix due 2026-06-03
WeaknessCWE-119, CWE-122
Published2009-10-13
Last modified2026-06-16
Publisher (CNA): Adobe Systems Incorporated · Vendor: adobe

Share: LinkedIn · X · Reddit

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

Am I affected?

Timeline

adobe acrobat UPGRADE
Affected: >= 7.0 and < 7.1.4 · >= 8.0 and < 8.1.7 · >= 9.0 and < 9.2
Fixed in: 7.1.4, 8.1.7, 9.2
Safe to downgrade to: a release before 7.0
1. Check installed version
apt-cache policy acrobat || rpm -q acrobat || acrobat --version
2. UPGRADE to 7.1.4 (Debian / Ubuntu)
sudo apt update && sudo apt install --only-upgrade acrobat
2. UPGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)
sudo dnf upgrade acrobat
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 sudo apt install acrobat=<VERSION_BEFORE_7.0> sudo apt-mark hold acrobat
3. If no update is available yet, DOWNGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)
dnf --showduplicates list acrobat sudo dnf downgrade acrobat-<VERSION_BEFORE_7.0> sudo dnf versionlock add acrobat
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.
adobe acrobat reader UPGRADE
Affected: >= 7.0 and < 7.1.4 · >= 8.0 and < 8.1.7 · >= 9.0 and < 9.2
Fixed in: 7.1.4, 8.1.7, 9.2
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 7.1.4 (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.

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-2009-3459?

acrobat: upgrade to 7.1.4, 8.1.7, 9.2; acrobat reader: upgrade to 7.1.4, 8.1.7, 9.2. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2009-3459 being exploited?

Yes. CVE-2009-3459 is on the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities list, so treat it as patch-now.

What does CVE-2009-3459 affect?

CVE-2009-3459 affects acrobat, acrobat reader. Severity is high (CVSS 8.8). 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

How urgent is CVE-2009-3459?

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

References

← Back to latest CVEs

Get the weekly exploited-CVE digest by emailThe CVEs being attacked this week and how to fix them. No spam, unsubscribe any time.