CVE-2010-0188 Adobe Reader and Acrobat: command or code injection
In plain words: The program treats text it receives as instructions instead of plain data. The attacker can run commands on the machine — often the whole device is taken over.
Confirmed exploited by CISA on · US federal patch deadline Mar 24, 2022
What to do
- Install Adobe's security update for Reader and Acrobat. If no update exists, follow the vendor's workaround or stop using the product until one ships.
- Turn on automatic updates for the operating system and for Office, PDF and archive apps.
- Be careful with unexpected attachments — documents, .zip/.rar files and shortcuts are common bait.
- Use a normal (non-admin) account day to day and keep built-in protection like Microsoft Defender on.
Who is affected
Could reach you. Used in ransomware, which spreads to ordinary people and small businesses.
What's at risk: Your files, saved passwords and accounts. Many of these let a program that is already running gain full administrator control.
The details
- Official name
- Adobe Reader and Acrobat Arbitrary Code Execution Vulnerability
- Product
- Adobe Reader and Acrobat
- CISA description
- Unspecified vulnerability in Adobe Reader and Acrobat allows attackers to cause a denial of service or possibly execute arbitrary code.
- Type of flaw
- Command or code injection (CWE-94)
- Confirmed exploited
- Mar 3, 2022 — known to be used in ransomware attacks
- US federal patch deadline
- Mar 24, 2022
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Answering about CVE-2010-0188 ·
Questions about CVE-2010-0188
Is CVE-2010-0188 being exploited?
Yes. CISA added CVE-2010-0188 to its Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog on Mar 3, 2022, which means there is reliable evidence of real-world attacks, including by ransomware groups.
How do I fix CVE-2010-0188?
Install Adobe's security update for Reader and Acrobat. If no update exists, follow the vendor's workaround or stop using the product until one ships. Turn on automatic updates for the operating system and for Office, PDF and archive apps.
Am I affected by CVE-2010-0188?
Only if you use Adobe Reader and Acrobat. Used in ransomware, which spreads to ordinary people and small businesses.