Description
Multiple buffer overflows in Adobe Reader and Acrobat 8.1.1 and earlier allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a PDF file with long arguments to unspecified JavaScript methods. NOTE: this issue might be subsumed by CVE-2008-0655.
Fixed in Linux distributions
Distributions backport fixes, so the version that fixes this vulnerability differs per release — upgrade to at least the version shown. From the distributions' security trackers and advisories.
Red Hat
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| RHEL 5 | acroread +1 | 8.1.2-1.el5.3 | RHSA-2008:0144 |
| RHEL 4 | acroread +1 | 8.1.2-1.el4.2 | RHSA-2008:0144 |
| RHEL 3 | acroread +1 | 8.1.2-1.el3.6 | RHSA-2008:0144 |
Public exploits
Exploit or proof-of-concept code for this vulnerability is publicly available, which lowers the bar for attackers. Treat it as a reason to patch sooner.
Third-party code, not reviewed by us. Public PoCs are sometimes fake or contain malware. Read the code first and run it only in an isolated lab, against systems you are authorised to test.
Metasploit 1 module
-
Adobe Collab.collectEmailInfo() Buffer Overflow
exploit/windows/fileformat/adobe_collectemailinfo
Exploit-DB 2
- Adobe - 'Collab.collectEmailInfo()' Local Buffer Overflow (Metasploit) EDB-16674 · local · Sep 25, 2010 · verified
- Adobe Acrobat and Reader 8.1.1 - Multiple Arbitrary Code Execution / Security Vulnerabilities EDB-31114 · dos · Feb 6, 2008 · verified
Sources: PoC-in-GitHub, Metasploit Framework, Exploit-DB — updated daily. Only links are listed; no exploit code is hosted here.
Advisories 1
- RHSA-2008:0144 Red Hat Security Advisory: acroread security update Red Hat Security Advisories (RHSA) · Jun 29, 2026
References
- TA08-043A third-party-advisory
- http://www.adobe.com/support/security/bulletins/apsb08-13.html
- ADV-2008-1966 vdb-entry
- 20080208 Adobe Reader and Acrobat Multiple Stack-based Buffer Overflow Vulnerabilities third-party-advisory
- oval:org.mitre.oval:def:9813 vdb-entry signature
- http://www.adobe.com/support/security/advisories/apsa08-01.html
- 239286 vendor-advisory
- GLSA-200803-01 vendor-advisory
- 29065 third-party-advisory
- 30840 third-party-advisory
- 29205 third-party-advisory
- RHSA-2008:0144 vendor-advisory
- VU#666281 third-party-advisory