Description
The getAnnots Doc method in the JavaScript API in Adobe Reader and Acrobat 9.1, 8.1.4, 7.1.1, and earlier allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (memory corruption) or execute arbitrary code via a PDF file that contains an annotation, and has an OpenAction entry with JavaScript code that calls this method with crafted integer arguments.
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 | 8.1.5-1.el5 | RHSA-2009:0478 |
| RHEL 4 | acroread +1 | 8.1.5-1.el4 | RHSA-2009:0478 |
| RHEL 3 | acroread +1 | 8.1.5-2 | RHSA-2009:0478 |
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.
Exploit-DB 1
- Adobe Reader 8.1.4/9.1 - 'GetAnnots()' Remote Code Execution EDB-8569 · remote · Apr 29, 2009 · verified
Sources: PoC-in-GitHub, Metasploit Framework, Exploit-DB — updated daily. Only links are listed; no exploit code is hosted here.
Advisories 1
- RHSA-2009:0478 Red Hat Security Advisory: acroread security update Red Hat Security Advisories (RHSA) · Jun 29, 2026
References
- 8569 exploit
- http://blogs.adobe.com/psirt/2009/05/adobe_reader_issue_update.html
- http://support.nortel.com/go/main.jsp?cscat=BLTNDETAIL&id=926953
- http://blogs.adobe.com/psirt/2009/04/potential_adobe_reader_issue.html
- http://blogs.adobe.com/psirt/2009/04/update_on_adobe_reader_issue.html
- 35734 third-party-advisory
- TA09-133B third-party-advisory
- ADV-2009-1189 vdb-entry
- http://www.adobe.com/support/security/bulletins/apsb09-06.html
- SUSE-SR:2009:011 vendor-advisory
- http://packetstorm.linuxsecurity.com/0904-exploits/getannots.txt
- GLSA-200907-06 vendor-advisory
- 259028 vendor-advisory
- SUSE-SA:2009:027 vendor-advisory
- 34924 third-party-advisory
- ADV-2009-1317 vdb-entry
- 1022139 vdb-entry
- 35358 third-party-advisory
- 35055 third-party-advisory
- VU#970180 third-party-advisory
- 54130 vdb-entry
- 35416 third-party-advisory
- RHSA-2009:0478 vendor-advisory
- 35096 third-party-advisory
- 35152 third-party-advisory
- 34736 vdb-entry
- reader-getannots-code-execution(50145) vdb-entry