CVE-2009-3459
Confirmed PUBLISHEDHeap-based buffer overflow in Adobe Reader and Acrobat 7.x before 7.1.4, 8.x before 8.1.7, and 9.x before 9.2 allows remote attackers to execute...
6076 days faster than CISA KEV
Recommended Action
Prioritize remediation. Validate affected assets and apply vendor fixes on an accelerated timeline.
At a Glance
Heap-based buffer overflow in Adobe Reader and Acrobat 7.x before 7.1.4, 8.x before 8.1.7, and 9.x before 9.2 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a crafted PDF file that triggers memory corruption, as exploited in the wild in October 2009. NOTE: some of these details are obtained from third party information.
- CVE Published
- Oct 13, 2009
- Exploitation Reported
- Oct 13, 2009
- CVSS
- 8.8 High
- EPSS
- 86.5%
Affected Versions
| Vendor | Product | Version | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| n/a |
n/a
|
n/a |
Affected |
CVE References
- 36983 secunia.com · Third-Party Advisory http://secunia.com/advisories/36983
- TA09-286B us-cert.gov · Third-Party Advisory http://www.us-cert.gov/cas/techalerts/TA09-286B.html
- 20091009 Adobe Acrobat and Acrobat Reader Remote Code Execution iss.net · Third-Party Advisory http://www.iss.net/threats/348.html
- oval:org.mitre.oval:def:6534 oval.cisecurity.org · VDB Entry https://oval.cisecurity.org/repository/search/definition/oval%3Aorg.m...
- 1023007 securitytracker.com · VDB Entry http://securitytracker.com/id?1023007
Show 7 more references
- ADV-2009-2851 vupen.com · VDB Entry http://www.vupen.com/english/advisories/2009/2851
- 36600 securityfocus.com · VDB Entry http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/36600
- ADV-2009-2898 vupen.com · VDB Entry http://www.vupen.com/english/advisories/2009/2898
- adobe-reader-pdf-code-execution(53691) exchange.xforce.ibmcloud.com · VDB Entry https://exchange.xforce.ibmcloud.com/vulnerabilities/53691
- adobe.com/support/security/bulletins/apsb09-15.html adobe.com · CVE Record http://www.adobe.com/support/security/bulletins/apsb09-15.html
- isc.sans.org/diary.html isc.sans.org · CVE Record http://isc.sans.org/diary.html?storyid=7300
- blogs.adobe.com/psirt/2009/10/adobe_reader_and_acrobat_issue... blogs.adobe.com · CVE Record http://blogs.adobe.com/psirt/2009/10/adobe_reader_and_acrobat_issue_1...
Recommended Actions
- Prioritize remediation. Validate affected assets and apply vendor fixes on an accelerated timeline.
- Check enrichment artifacts for scanner coverage and available PoCs before rolling remediation validation.
- Use the Pro API to automate enrichment, telemetry, and workflow delivery for VM, SOC, and CTI pipelines.
Known Exploited Vulnerability Sources
Catalogues that list this CVE as a known exploited vulnerability.
Per-source evidence links for KEV attestations are available through the KEVIntel Pro API.
Learn about Pro API access| Source | Added |
|---|---|
| CVE First | 2009-10-13 10:00 UTC |
| CISA | 2026-06-02 14:00 UTC |
Scanner Artifacts
Nuclei and Metasploit references linked to this CVE.
| Scanner | Reference | Detected |
|---|---|---|
| Metasploit | https://github.com/rapid7/metasploit-framework/blob/master/modules/exploits/windows/fileformat/adobe_flatedecode_predictor02.rb | Apr 29, 2025 |
Virtual Patch
Compensating WAF rules to help reduce exposure to this CVE. Rule content and deployable vendor exports are available with KEVIntel Enterprise.
KEVIntel does not currently have a virtual patch for this CVE. When available, KEVIntel virtual patches ship as deployable ModSecurity, Cloudflare, and AWS WAF rules.
Enterprise feature. Virtual patch rule content and deployable vendor exports (ModSecurity, Cloudflare, AWS WAF) are available to KEVIntel Enterprise users.
CVSS Scores
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
AV:N/AC:M/Au:N/C:C/I:C/A:C
Exploitation Status
Exploited in the wild
Recorded 2009-10-13 10:00:00 UTC · CVE
Proof of concept available
Recorded 2025-04-28 15:02:37 UTC
Weaknesses (CWE)
-
Improper Restriction of Operations within the Bounds of a Memory Buffer
-
Heap-based Buffer Overflow
Scanner Integrations
| Scanner | Reference | Detected |
|---|---|---|
| Metasploit | https://github.com/rapid7/metasploit-framework/blob/master/modules/exploits/windows/fileformat/adobe_flatedecode_predictor02.rb | Apr 29, 2025 |
Potential Proof of Concepts
These PoCs are unverified and could contain malware. Use at your own risk.
Timeline
Key exploitation, disclosure, scanner coverage, and KEV attestation events for this CVE.
-
14:00 UTC about 2 months ago14:00 UTC · about 2 months ago
Added to CISA KEV
Listed in the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog
-
10:58 UTC about 1 year ago10:58 UTC · about 1 year ago
Metasploit module available
Exploit module available
-
15:02 UTC about 1 year ago15:02 UTC · about 1 year ago
Public PoC available
Public proof-of-concept code published
-
10:00 UTC almost 17 years ago10:00 UTC · almost 17 years ago
Added to KEVIntel KEV Feed
High-confidence, third-party attested exploitation
-
10:00 UTC almost 17 years ago10:00 UTC · almost 17 years ago
CVE published
Vulnerability disclosed publicly
-
00:00 UTC almost 17 years ago00:00 UTC · almost 17 years ago
CVE ID reserved
Identifier reserved by the CNA
Automate This Intelligence with the Pro API
Confidence scoring, exploit status, sensor telemetry, PoCs, scanner integrations, mentions, and tags are available programmatically for VM, SOC, and CTI workflows.
Pro API Example
GET /api/v2/pro/kevs/CVE-2009-3459
{
"cve_id": "CVE-2009-3459",
"title": "Heap-based buffer overflow in Adobe Reader and Acrobat 7.x before 7.1.4, 8.x ...",
"affected_vendor": "Adobe",
"affected_product": "Reader and Acrobat",
"affected_versions": [
{ "vendor": "...", "product": "...", "status": "affected", "display_label": "..." }
],
"confidence": "Confirmed",
"cvss_score": 8.8,
"epss_score": 0.86468,
"exploit_status": {
"exploited_in_the_wild": true,
"active_exploitation_observed": false
},
"sensor_telemetry": { "...": "Pro API fields" },
"proof_of_concepts": [ "..." ],
"scanner_integrations": [ "..." ]
}