CVE-2020-9715 Adobe Acrobat: memory-safety flaw
In plain words: The program mishandles the memory it uses to keep track of data. A specially made input can scramble that memory. Usually lets an attacker crash the program or run their own code with its permissions.
Confirmed exploited by CISA on · US federal patch deadline Apr 27, 2026
What to do
- Install Adobe's security update for 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. This one is aimed at devices or apps of the kind people own.
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 Acrobat Use-After-Free Vulnerability
- Product
- Adobe Acrobat
- CISA description
- Adobe Acrobat contains a use-after-free vulnerability that allows for code execution
- Type of flaw
- Memory-safety flaw (CWE-416)
- Confirmed exploited
- Apr 13, 2026
- US federal patch deadline
- Apr 27, 2026
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Answering about CVE-2020-9715 ·
Questions about CVE-2020-9715
Is CVE-2020-9715 being exploited?
Yes. CISA added CVE-2020-9715 to its Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog on Apr 13, 2026, which means there is reliable evidence of real-world attacks.
How do I fix CVE-2020-9715?
Install Adobe's security update for 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-2020-9715?
Only if you use Adobe Acrobat. This one is aimed at devices or apps of the kind people own.