Known exploited vulnerability
CVE-2020-9715
The short answer
CVE-2020-9715 affects Adobe Adobe Acrobat and Reader and is rated high (CVSS 7.8). CISA added it to the Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog on 2026-04-13: attackers are using it, so patch it first. The vendor has linked a patch.
What it is
Adobe Acrobat and Reader versions 2020.009.20074 and earlier, 2020.001.30002, 2017.011.30171 and earlier, and 2015.006.30523 and earlier have an use-after-free vulnerability. Successful exploitation could lead to arbitrary code execution .
Weakness: CWE-416.
Severity
7.8 high
CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
Exploited (CISA KEV)
Yes, since Apr 13, 2026
Federal due date Apr 27, 2026
EPSS, next 30 days
33%
Higher than 98% of scored CVEs
How it can be exploited
- Attack vector
- Local
- Attack complexity
- Low
- Privileges required
- None
- User interaction
- Required
- Scope
- Unchanged
- Confidentiality impact
- High
- Integrity impact
- High
- Availability impact
- High
What CISA says to do
Apply mitigations per vendor instructions, follow applicable BOD 22-01 guidance for cloud services, or discontinue use of the product if mitigations are unavailable.
Affected products
Adobe Acrobat and Reader. NVD's record lists the exact affected versions.
References
- blog.exodusintel.com/2021/04/20/analysis-of-a-use-after-free-vulnerability-in-adobe-acrobat-reader-dc/ ExploitPatchThird Party Advisory
- helpx.adobe.com/security/products/acrobat/apsb20-48.html Vendor Advisory
- www.zerodayinitiative.com/advisories/ZDI-20-991/ Third Party AdvisoryVDB Entry
- blog.exodusintel.com/2021/04/20/analysis-of-a-use-after-free-vulnerability-in-adobe-acrobat-reader-dc/ ExploitPatchThird Party Advisory
- helpx.adobe.com/security/products/acrobat/apsb20-48.html Vendor Advisory
- www.zerodayinitiative.com/advisories/ZDI-20-991/ Third Party AdvisoryVDB Entry
- www.cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog?field_cve=CVE-2020-9715 US Government Resource
Questions
Is CVE-2020-9715 being exploited?
Yes. CISA added CVE-2020-9715 to its Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog on 2026-04-13, with a federal remediation due date of 2026-04-27.
How do I fix CVE-2020-9715?
CISA's 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.
From NVD, CISA KEV, FIRST EPSS and OSV.dev, checked . Status on NVD: Analyzed. The description is NVD's text, quoted as published.
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