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CVE-2026-81996: Acrobat Reader is affected by an Incorrect Authorization vulnerability that could result in privilege escalati

34
Routine
HIGH 8.8UPGRADEUPGRADEUPGRADE

CVE-2026-81996 is a high-severity flaw (CVSS 8.8) 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 Incorrect Authorization vulnerability that could result in privilege escalation. A low-privileged attacker could exploit this vulnerability to gain elevated access. Exploitation of this issue does not require user interaction. Scope is changed.

Why this priority

  • High severity

A fixed release or distro patch exists.

Risk facts

CVSS score8.8 (High)
Attack vectorLocal
Attack complexityLow
Privileges neededLow
User interactionNone
EPSS exploit chance0.2% (top 85%)
CISA exploited listNo
WeaknessCWE-863
Published2026-09-08
Last modified2026-09-10
Publisher (CNA): Adobe Systems Incorporated · Vendor: adobe

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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: >= 24.0.0 and < 24.001.30429
Fixed in: 24.001.30429
Safe to downgrade to: a release before 24.0.0
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 24.0.0 (Debian / Ubuntu)
apt-cache madison acrobat sudo apt install acrobat=<VERSION_BEFORE_24.0.0> 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_24.0.0> 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 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-2026-81996?

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-2026-81996 being exploited?

CVE-2026-81996 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-2026-81996 affect?

CVE-2026-81996 affects acrobat, acrobat dc, acrobat reader dc. Severity is high (CVSS 8.8). Acrobat Reader is affected by an Incorrect Authorization vulnerability that could result in privilege escalation. A low-privileged attacker could exploit this vulnerability to gain elevated access. Exploitation of this issue does not requir

How urgent is CVE-2026-81996?

Priority 34/100. High severity

Software pages

Adobe Acrobat vulnerabilities

Related CVEs

References

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