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Actively exploited

CVE-2011-2462 Adobe Reader and Acrobat Universal 3D Memory Corruption Vulnerability

The Universal 3D (U3D) component in Adobe Reader and Acrobat contains a memory corruption vulnerability which could allow remote attackers to execute code or cause denial-of-service (DoS).

From the CISA KEV catalogue version 2026.11.06, with Cybergen analysis. Updated 6 Nov 2026.

Our Assessment

Should You Worry?

Patch urgentlyCybergen assessment
  • CISA confirmed exploitation in the wild and added it to the Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalogue on 8 Jun 2022.
  • Rated High severity (CVSS 8.8, scored by CISA).
  • It has been in the catalogue for 1,612 days. Systems still unpatched now have almost certainly been scanned for it.
The Vulnerability

What It Is

Unspecified vulnerability in the U3D component in Adobe Reader and Acrobat 10.1.1 and earlier on Windows and Mac OS X, and Adobe Reader 9.x through 9.4.6 on UNIX, allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code or cause a denial of service (memory corruption) via unknown vectors, as exploited in the wild in December 2011.

From Watch to Action

What To Do Now

  1. 1

    Find it

    Search your asset inventory and external attack surface for Adobe Reader and Acrobat. Include cloud images, appliances and anything a supplier runs for you.

    Attack Surface Management
  2. 2

    Fix it

    Apply updates per vendor instructions.

    Vulnerability Management
  3. 3

    Hunt for compromise

    If an affected system was reachable before you patched, assume it may have been hit. Check logs, new accounts, web shells and outbound connections from the date of exposure.

    Incident Response
  4. 4

    Prove it is fixed

    Rescan or test the system after patching. Upgrades that fail silently and forgotten secondary instances are common.

    Penetration Testing

Vendor Advisories

Regulation

The Compliance Clock

Cyber EssentialsRated high, so if it affects devices in your Cyber Essentials scope, the update must be installed within 14 days of the vendor releasing it.NIS2If exploitation causes a significant incident, essential and important entities owe their CSIRT an early warning within 24 hours and a notification within 72 hours.DORAFinancial entities must classify ICT incidents and send an initial notification for a major incident within strict deadlines, with exploited flaws a common cause.US federal (BOD 22-01)Federal civilian agencies had until 22 Jun 2022 to remediate. A sensible benchmark for everyone else.

General guidance, not legal advice. Your obligations depend on your sector, scope and jurisdiction.

Stay Ahead

More Exploited Adobe Flaws

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Not Sure If You Are Exposed?

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Evidence

Sources

  1. CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalogue
  2. NVD: CVE-2011-2462
  3. CVE record: CVE-2011-2462
  4. FIRST EPSS
  5. lists.opensuse.org/opensuse-security-announce/2012-01/msg00020.html
  6. adobe.com/support/security/bulletins/apsb12-01.html
  7. adobe.com/support/security/advisories/apsa11-04.html
  8. redhat.com/support/errata/RHSA-2012-0011.html
  9. lists.opensuse.org/opensuse-security-announce/2012-01/msg00019.html
  10. adobe.com/support/security/bulletins/apsb11-30.html
  11. oval.cisecurity.org/repository/search/definition/oval%3Aorg.mitre.oval%3Adef%3A14562
  12. us-cert.gov/cas/techalerts/TA11-350A.html