CVE-2020-9695: Acrobat Reader versions 2020.009.20074, 2020.001.30002, 2017.011.30171, 2015.006.30523 and earlier are affecte

Routine

HIGH 7.8UPGRADEDOWNGRADEUPGRADE

CVE-2020-9695 is a high-severity flaw (CVSS 7.8) affecting acrobat dc, acrobat reader, acrobat reader dc. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

Acrobat Reader versions 2020.009.20074, 2020.001.30002, 2017.011.30171, 2015.006.30523 and earlier are affected by an out-of-bounds write vulnerability that could result in arbitrary code execution in the context of the current user. Exploitation of this issue requires user interaction in that a victim must open a malicious file.

Why this priority

High severity

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	0.3% (top 83%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-787
Published	2026-06-23
Last modified	2026-09-29

Publisher (CNA): Adobe Systems Incorporated · Vendor: adobe

Last updated 2026-09-29 · Sources: CVE Program, NVD, CISA KEV, EPSS and vendor advisories · How we score

Am I affected?

Timeline

2026-06-23 18:17 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-09-29 09:10 UTCUpdated Record last modified

adobe acrobat dc UPGRADE

Affected: <= 20.009.20074 · >= 15.000.0000 and <= 15.006.30523 · >= 17.009.20044 and <= 17.011.30171 · 20.001.30002

Fixed in: newer than 20.009.20074

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 15.000.0000

1. Check installed version

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

2. UPGRADE to newer than 20.009.20074 (Debian / Ubuntu)

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

2. UPGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

sudo dnf upgrade acrobat-dc

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 15.000.0000 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison acrobat-dc sudo apt install acrobat-dc=<VERSION_BEFORE_15.000.0000> sudo apt-mark hold acrobat-dc

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

dnf --showduplicates list acrobat-dc sudo dnf downgrade acrobat-dc-<VERSION_BEFORE_15.000.0000> sudo dnf versionlock add acrobat-dc

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 DOWNGRADE

Affected: 20.001.30002

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 20.001.30002

1. Check installed version

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

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE to a release before 20.001.30002 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison acrobat-reader sudo apt install acrobat-reader=<VERSION_BEFORE_20.001.30002> sudo apt-mark hold acrobat-reader

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

dnf --showduplicates list acrobat-reader sudo dnf downgrade acrobat-reader-<VERSION_BEFORE_20.001.30002> 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.

adobe acrobat reader dc UPGRADE

Affected: <= 20.009.20074 · >= 15.000.0000 and <= 15.006.30523 · >= 17.009.20044 and <= 17.011.30171

Fixed in: newer than 20.009.20074

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 15.000.0000

1. Check installed version

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

2. UPGRADE to newer than 20.009.20074 (Debian / Ubuntu)

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

2. UPGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

sudo dnf upgrade acrobat-reader-dc

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 15.000.0000 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison acrobat-reader-dc sudo apt install acrobat-reader-dc=<VERSION_BEFORE_15.000.0000> sudo apt-mark hold acrobat-reader-dc

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

dnf --showduplicates list acrobat-reader-dc sudo dnf downgrade acrobat-reader-dc-<VERSION_BEFORE_15.000.0000> sudo dnf versionlock add acrobat-reader-dc

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.

Verify at the official source NVD · CVE Program · 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-2020-9695?

acrobat dc: upgrade to newer than 20.009.20074; acrobat reader: downgrade or apply the listed mitigation; acrobat reader dc: upgrade to newer than 20.009.20074. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2020-9695 being exploited?

CVE-2020-9695 is not on the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities list at the time of the last update. Check again, as this can change.

What does CVE-2020-9695 affect?

CVE-2020-9695 affects acrobat dc, acrobat reader, acrobat reader dc. Severity is high (CVSS 7.8). Acrobat Reader versions 2020.009.20074, 2020.001.30002, 2017.011.30171, 2015.006.30523 and earlier are affected by an out-of-bounds write vulnerability that could result in arbitrary code execution in the context of the current user. Exploi

How urgent is CVE-2020-9695?

Priority 32/100. High severity

Software pages

Adobe Acrobat vulnerabilities

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References

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