CVE-2008-2992 — Adobe Reader and Acrobat Input Validation Vulnerability

Stack-based buffer overflow in Adobe Acrobat and Reader 8.1.2 and earlier allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a PDF file that calls the util.printf JavaScript function with a crafted format string argument, a related issue to CVE-2008-1104.

01What is this vulnerability?

Stack-based buffer overflow in Adobe Acrobat and Reader 8.1.2 and earlier allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a PDF file that calls the util.printf JavaScript function with a crafted format string argument, a related issue to CVE-2008-1104.

02Affected products

Vendor	Product	Versions
n	a / n/a	n/a

03Active exploitation status

Yes — actively exploited. Added to the CISA KEV catalog on 2022-03-03. Ransomware use: Known.

04Recommended remediation

• Patch to a fixed version listed in the vendor advisory (see references below).
• Mitigate with WAF rules, network egress filters, or feature flags where the patch is not yet available.
• Hunt historical logs for exploitation indicators — see Detection signatures below.

05Technical details

For the full vendor write-up, exploit chains, and reference implementations, see the references list in section 09.

06Detection signatures

Open the Sigma generator with a pre-filled prompt for this CVE to draft a starting detection in your stack of choice:

Open in Sigma generator →

07Related CVEs

08Timeline

• Published: 2008-11-04T18:00:00.000Z
• Last modified: 2025-10-22T00:05:55.512Z
• Added to CISA KEV: 2022-03-03
• BOD 22-01 due: 2022-03-24

09References

• www.securityfocus.com — http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/30035
• secunia.com — http://secunia.com/advisories/32700
• support.nortel.com — http://support.nortel.com/go/main.jsp?cscat=BLTNDETAIL&id=909609
• www.securityfocus.com — http://www.securityfocus.com/archive/1/498027/100/0/threaded
• secunia.com — http://secunia.com/secunia_research/2008-14/
• www.securityfocus.com — http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/32091
• osvdb.org — http://osvdb.org/49520
• secunia.com — http://secunia.com/advisories/35163
• download.oracle.com — http://download.oracle.com/sunalerts/1019937.1.html
• secunia.com — http://secunia.com/advisories/32872
• www.exploit-db.com — https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/7006
• securityreason.com — http://securityreason.com/securityalert/4549
• www.coresecurity.com — http://www.coresecurity.com/content/adobe-reader-buffer-overflow
• www.zerodayinitiative.com — http://www.zerodayinitiative.com/advisories/ZDI-08-072/
• www.adobe.com — http://www.adobe.com/support/security/bulletins/apsb08-19.html
• www.securityfocus.com — http://www.securityfocus.com/archive/1/498055/100/0/threaded
• www.exploit-db.com — https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/6994
• www.vupen.com — http://www.vupen.com/english/advisories/2009/0098
• secunia.com — http://secunia.com/advisories/29773
• www.us-cert.gov — http://www.us-cert.gov/cas/techalerts/TA08-309A.html
• www.securitytracker.com — http://www.securitytracker.com/id?1021140
• www.securityfocus.com — http://www.securityfocus.com/archive/1/498032/100/0/threaded
• www.vupen.com — http://www.vupen.com/english/advisories/2008/3001
• lists.opensuse.org — http://lists.opensuse.org/opensuse-security-announce/2008-11/msg00002.html
• www.redhat.com — http://www.redhat.com/support/errata/RHSA-2008-0974.html
• www.kb.cert.org — http://www.kb.cert.org/vuls/id/593409
• support.nortel.com — http://support.nortel.com/go/main.jsp?cscat=BLTNDETAIL&id=800801