Adobe · Acrobat and Reader
CVE-2009-3459
Adobe Acrobat and Reader Heap-Based Buffer Overflow Vulnerability
CISA KEV record
- CISA date added
- 2026-05-20
- CISA due date
- 2026-06-03
- Known ransomware use
- Unknown
NVD risk context
8.8 HIGH
CVSS is a technical severity score. CISA’s KEV status remains the evidence that this vulnerability is known to be exploited.
Description
Adobe Acrobat and Reader contain a heap-based buffer overflow vulnerability which could allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a crafted PDF file that triggers memory corruption.
Required action
Apply mitigations per vendor instructions, follow applicable BOD 22-01 guidance for cloud services, or discontinue use of the product if mitigations are unavailable.
NVD reference index
Vendor and remediation references
NVD has tagged these sources as vendor advisories, patches, mitigations, or release notes.
- http://blogs.adobe.com/psirt/2009/10/adobe_reader_and_acrobat_issue_1.html ↗
- http://secunia.com/advisories/36983 ↗
- http://www.adobe.com/support/security/bulletins/apsb09-15.html ↗
- http://www.vupen.com/english/advisories/2009/2851 ↗
- http://www.vupen.com/english/advisories/2009/2898 ↗
Other NVD references (8)
- http://isc.sans.org/diary.html?storyid=7300 ↗
- http://securitytracker.com/id?1023007 ↗
- http://www.iss.net/threats/348.html ↗
- http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/36600 ↗
- http://www.us-cert.gov/cas/techalerts/TA09-286B.html ↗
- https://exchange.xforce.ibmcloud.com/vulnerabilities/53691 ↗
- https://oval.cisecurity.org/repository/search/definition/oval%3Aorg.mitre.oval%3Adef%3A6534 ↗
- https://www.cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog?field_cve=CVE-2009-3459 ↗
MITRE CWE context
CWE classification
The product performs operations on a memory buffer, but it reads from or writes to a memory location outside the buffer's intended boundary. This may result in read or write operations on unexpected memory locations that could be linked to other variables, data structures, or internal program data.
View official MITRE CWE details ↗NVD record timing
NVD record timeline
These dates describe NVD’s record, not CISA’s KEV addition or remediation due date.
- NVD published
- Oct 13, 2009, 10:30 AM UTC When NVD first published this CVE record.
- NVD last updated
- Jun 16, 2026, 11:11 PM UTC When NVD last changed its analysis or record data.
Advanced: view the technical CVSS vector
This standardized code is intended for security tools and technical analysts. The plain-language risk summary above explains its main points.
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
CISA notes
https://www.cisa.gov/news-events/alerts/2009/10/13/adobe-reader-and-acrobat-vulnerabilities ; https://web.archive.org/web/20120324170253/http://www.adobe.com/support/security/bulletins/apsb09-15.html#:~:text=CVE%2D2009%2D3459).-,NOTE%3A,-There%20are%20reports ; https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2009-3459
- https://www.cisa.gov/news-events/alerts/2009/10/13/adobe-reader-and-acrobat-vulnerabilities
- https://web.archive.org/web/20120324170253/http://www.adobe.com/support/security/bulletins/apsb09-15.html#:~:text=CVE%2D2009%2D3459).-,NOTE%3A,-There%20are%20reports
- https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2009-3459