Description
Adobe Reader and Acrobat 9.x before 9.3.3, and 8.x before 8.2.3 on Windows and Mac OS X, do not restrict the contents of one text field in the Launch File warning dialog, which makes it easier for remote attackers to trick users into executing an arbitrary local program that was specified in a PDF document, as demonstrated by a text field that claims that the Open button will enable the user to read an encrypted message.
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 | 9.3.3-1.el5 | RHSA-2010:0503 |
| RHEL 4 | acroread +1 | 9.3.3-2.el4 | RHSA-2010:0503 |
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.
Metasploit 2 modules
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Adobe PDF Embedded EXE Social Engineering
exploit/windows/fileformat/adobe_pdf_embedded_exe
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Adobe PDF Escape EXE Social Engineering (No JavaScript)
exploit/windows/fileformat/adobe_pdf_embedded_exe_nojs
Exploit-DB 3
- Adobe PDF - Embedded EXE Social Engineering (Metasploit) EDB-16671 · local · Dec 16, 2010 · verified
- Adobe PDF - Escape EXE Social Engineering (No JavaScript) (Metasploit) EDB-16682 · local · Dec 16, 2010 · verified
- Adobe Reader - Escape From '.PDF' Execute Embedded Executable EDB-11987 · local · Mar 31, 2010 · verified
GitHub 5 repositories
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Jasmoon99/Embedded-PDF ★ 71 · Jun 5, 2021
This demonstration video shows how we can control the victim's device by sending the innocent-looking PDF file to the target which actually consists of embedded payload. The exploit was made public a…
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omarothmann/Embedded-Backdoor-Connection ★ 8 · Jan 26, 2022
This demonstration video shows how we can control the victim's device by sending the innocent-looking PDF file to the target which actually consists of embedded payload. The exploit was made public a…
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asepsaepdin/CVE-2010-1240 ★ 1 · Aug 2, 2023
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ocfagb/hacktivity-vulns-exploits-lab ★ 0 · Aug 27, 2026
Writeup + CVE analysis + countermeasures for the Hacktivity 'Vulnerabilities, Exploits, and Remote Access Payloads' lab (netcat shells, Metasploit, CVE-2010-1240, CVE-2004-2687).
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12345qwert123456/CVE-2010-1240 ★ 0 · Sep 17, 2025
Python tool for CVE-2010-1240 research - generates malicious PDFs exploiting Adobe Reader Launch Actions
Sources: PoC-in-GitHub, Metasploit Framework, Exploit-DB — updated daily. Only links are listed; no exploit code is hosted here.
Advisories 1
- RHSA-2010:0503 Red Hat Security Advisory: acroread security update Red Hat Security Advisories (RHSA) · Jun 29, 2026
References
- ADV-2010-1636 vdb-entry
- http://www.adobe.com/support/security/bulletins/apsb10-15.html
- http://blog.didierstevens.com/2010/03/29/escape-from-pdf/
- TA10-231A third-party-advisory
- 1024159 vdb-entry
- [dailydave] 20100401 0day, it may not be mailing-list
- http://blog.didierstevens.com/2010/06/29/quickpost-no-escape-from-pdf/
- oval:org.mitre.oval:def:7466 vdb-entry signature