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Vulnerability record · CVE-2021-40726 · published 7 October 2021

CVE-2021-40726: Adobe acrobat dc use after free vulnerability

Adobe · Acrobat Dc

Acrobat Reader DC versions 2021.005.20060 (and earlier), 2020.004.30006 (and earlier) and 2017.011.30199 (and earlier) are affected by a use-after-free vulnerability when processing AcroForm field that could result in arbitrary code execution in the context of the current user. User interaction is required to exploit this vulnerability in that the target must visit a malicious page or open a malicious file.

7.8 CVSS 3.0 High EPSS 5.3% · top 7.7% CWE-416 · Use after free
7.8CVSS 3.0 base score, v2 6.8
5.3%EPSS exploitation probability, 30 days
NoNot in CISA KEV
2Affected product versions listed by NVD
4References
17 Jun 2026Last modified by NVD

Description

Acrobat Reader DC versions 2021.005.20060 (and earlier), 2020.004.30006 (and earlier) and 2017.011.30199 (and earlier) are affected by a use-after-free vulnerability when processing AcroForm field that could result in arbitrary code execution in the context of the current user. User interaction is required to exploit this vulnerability in that the target must visit a malicious page or open a malicious file.

CVSS:3.0/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

Affected products

2 vulnerable configurations from NVD's CPE data, grouped by vendor and product.

References

LinkTags
https://helpx.adobe.com/security/products/acrobat/apsb21-55.html Release NotesVendor Advisory
https://www.zerodayinitiative.com/advisories/ZDI-21-1249/ Third Party AdvisoryVDB Entry
https://helpx.adobe.com/security/products/acrobat/apsb21-55.html Release NotesVendor Advisory
https://www.zerodayinitiative.com/advisories/ZDI-21-1249/ Third Party AdvisoryVDB Entry

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Related vulnerabilities

Same products first, then exploited flaws of the same weakness class.

8.8CVE-2021-28550Adobe Acrobat and Reader use-after-free allows code executionAdobe Acrobat Reader DC (2021.001.20150, 2020.001.30020, 2017.011.30194 and earlier) and related Acrobat products contain a use-after-free (CWE-416) …KEVEPSS 52%analysed8.8CVE-2021-21017Adobe Acrobat and Reader heap buffer overflow via malicious fileAdobe Acrobat Reader DC (2020.013.20074, 2020.001.30018, 2017.011.30188 and earlier) contains a heap-based buffer overflow (CWE-122/CWE-787) triggere…KEVEPSS 86%analysed8.8CVE-2018-4990Adobe Acrobat and Reader double free allows code executionAdobe Acrobat and Reader contain a double free (CWE-415) in versions 2018.011.20038 and earlier, 2017.011.30079 and earlier, and 2015.006.30417 and e…KEVEPSS 36%analysed8.6CVE-2026-34621Adobe Acrobat Reader prototype pollution leads to code executionAdobe Acrobat and Reader (versions 24.001.30356, 26.001.21367 and earlier) are affected by prototype pollution (CWE-1321) that can result in arbitrar…KEVEPSS 2.2%analysed7.8CVE-2023-26369Adobe Acrobat and Reader out-of-bounds write allows code executionAdobe Acrobat and Reader versions 23.003.20284, 20.005.30516 and 20.005.30514 (and earlier) contain an out-of-bounds write (CWE-787) that can lead to…KEVEPSS 6.7%analysed7.8CVE-2023-21608Adobe Acrobat Reader use-after-free allows arbitrary code executionAdobe Acrobat and Reader are affected by a use-after-free (CWE-416) that can lead to arbitrary code execution in the context of the current user. The…KEVEPSS 61%analysed7.8CVE-2020-9715Adobe Acrobat and Reader use-after-free allows code executionAdobe Acrobat and Reader contain a use-after-free (CWE-416) flaw affecting versions 2020.009.20074 and earlier, 2020.001.30002, 2017.011.30171 and ea…KEVEPSS 49%analysed10.0CVE-2018-4872Adobe acrobat vulnerabilityAn issue was discovered in Adobe Acrobat Reader 2018.009.20050 and earlier versions, 2017.011.30070 and earlier versions, 2015.006.30394 and earlier …EPSS 12%

Source: NIST National Vulnerability Database (record CVE-2021-40726), CISA KEV, FIRST EPSS (scores of 2026-09-26). This page is refreshed as NVD updates the record.