Free and open · new CVEs checked every 20 minutesStatusRSSOpen dataContact

CVE-2026-81994: Acrobat Reader is affected by an Improperly Controlled Modification of Object Prototype Attributes ('Prototype

41
This month
HIGH 8.2UPGRADEUPGRADEUPGRADE

CVE-2026-81994 is a high-severity flaw (CVSS 8.2) affecting acrobat, acrobat dc, acrobat reader dc. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

Acrobat Reader is affected by an Improperly Controlled Modification of Object Prototype Attributes ('Prototype Pollution') vulnerability that could lead to arbitrary file system read. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability to access sensitive files and directories outside the intended access scope. Exploitation of this issue requires user interaction in that a victim must open a malicious file. Scope is changed.

Why this priority

  • High severity

A fixed release or distro patch exists.

Risk facts

CVSS score8.2 (High)
Attack vectorLocal
Attack complexityLow
Privileges neededNone
User interactionRequired
EPSS exploit chance0.6% (top 52%)
CISA exploited listNo
WeaknessCWE-1321
Published2026-09-08
Last modified2026-09-10
Publisher (CNA): Adobe Systems Incorporated · Vendor: adobe

Share: LinkedIn · X · Reddit

Last updated 2026-09-10 · Sources: CVE Program, NVD, CISA KEV, EPSS and vendor advisories · How we score

Am I affected?

Timeline

adobe acrobat UPGRADE
Affected: >= 24.001.20604 and < 24.001.30429
Fixed in: 24.001.30429
Safe to downgrade to: a release before 24.001.20604
1. Check installed version
apt-cache policy acrobat || rpm -q acrobat || acrobat --version
2. UPGRADE to 24.001.30429 (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 24.001.20604 (Debian / Ubuntu)
apt-cache madison acrobat sudo apt install acrobat=<VERSION_BEFORE_24.001.20604> 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_24.001.20604> 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 dc UPGRADE
Affected: >= 15.008.20082 and < 26.002.21901
Fixed in: 26.002.21901
Safe to downgrade to: a release before 15.008.20082
1. Check installed version
apt-cache policy acrobat-dc || rpm -q acrobat-dc || acrobat-dc --version
2. UPGRADE to 26.002.21901 (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 15.008.20082 (Debian / Ubuntu)
apt-cache madison acrobat-dc sudo apt install acrobat-dc=<VERSION_BEFORE_15.008.20082> 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_15.008.20082> 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 dc UPGRADE
Affected: >= 15.008.20082 and < 26.002.21901
Fixed in: 26.002.21901
Safe to downgrade to: a release before 15.008.20082
1. Check installed version
apt-cache policy acrobat-reader-dc || rpm -q acrobat-reader-dc || acrobat-reader-dc --version
2. UPGRADE to 26.002.21901 (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 15.008.20082 (Debian / Ubuntu)
apt-cache madison acrobat-reader-dc sudo apt install acrobat-reader-dc=<VERSION_BEFORE_15.008.20082> 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_15.008.20082> 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-2026-81994?

acrobat: upgrade to 24.001.30429; acrobat dc: upgrade to 26.002.21901; acrobat reader dc: upgrade to 26.002.21901. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2026-81994 being exploited?

CVE-2026-81994 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-2026-81994 affect?

CVE-2026-81994 affects acrobat, acrobat dc, acrobat reader dc. Severity is high (CVSS 8.2). Acrobat Reader is affected by an Improperly Controlled Modification of Object Prototype Attributes ('Prototype Pollution') vulnerability that could lead to arbitrary file system read. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability to access s

How urgent is CVE-2026-81994?

Priority 41/100. High severity

Software pages

Adobe Acrobat 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.