Use‑After‑Free Vulnerability (CVE‑2014‑0496) in Adobe Reader & Acrobat Enables Remote Code Execution
What It Is — Adobe Reader and Acrobat contain a use‑after‑free memory error that can be triggered by a crafted PDF, allowing an attacker to execute arbitrary code in the context of the user.
Exploitability — Public proof‑of‑concept code exists; the vulnerability is remotely exploitable without user interaction beyond opening a malicious PDF. CVSS v3.1 base score 7.5 (High).
Affected Products — Adobe Reader (all versions prior to the 2014‑09 security update) and Adobe Acrobat (all versions prior to the 2014‑09 security update).
Why It Matters for Trust & Control Assurance
- Demonstrates the need for continuous vulnerability monitoring and timely patch deployment as evidence of due‑diligence.
- A successful exploit would break the integrity of endpoint systems, undermining audit trails and control‑objective evidence.
- Enterprises must be able to show, on demand, that known high‑severity flaws are remediated, satisfying multiple framework requirements with a single control objective (e.g., “Maintain a documented vulnerability management process”).
Recommended Actions
- Verify the version of Adobe Reader/Acrobat on all endpoints.
- Apply the Adobe security update released September 2014 (or later) that resolves CVE‑2014‑0496.
- Update your vulnerability‑management control mapping to include this CVE and capture remediation evidence in your Trust Center.
- Incorporate the patch status into continuous compliance dashboards to demonstrate ongoing control assurance.
Source: CISA KEV – CVE‑2014‑0496