HOMEVULNERABILITIESCVE-2009-3956
CRITICAL

CVE-2009-3956

CWE-16Published: January 13, 2010· Updated: Jun 16, 2026

10.0
CVSS v3.1

Official Description

The default configuration of Adobe Reader and Acrobat 9.x before 9.3, and 8.x before 8.2 on Windows and Mac OS X, does not enable the Enhanced Security feature, which has unspecified impact and attack vectors, related to a "script injection vulnerability," as demonstrated by Acrobat Forms Data Format (FDF) behavior that allows cross-site scripting (XSS) by user-assisted remote attackers.

NVD Source

Technical Analysis

CVE-2009-3956 can be exploited remotely over the network without requiring physical or adjacent access, significantly expanding the attack surface for threat actors.

Exploitation requires some privileges, which limits the exposure to scenarios where an attacker has already gained initial access.

CVSS v3.1 Vector Breakdown

Exploitability
Attack VectorNetwork
Attack ComplexityLow
Privileges Req.
User Interaction
Scope
Impact
ConfidentialityC
IntegrityC
AvailabilityC
AV:N/AC:L/Au:N/C:C/I:C/A:C

Affected Vendors & Products

Adobe2 product(s)
acrobatacrobat reader
Apple1 product(s)
mac os x
Microsoft1 product(s)
windows
unix1 product(s)
unix
Source: NVD CPE · 100 total CPE entries

Exploit & PoC Resources

NO KNOWN EXPLOITNo public exploit confirmed at this time
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Official Patches & Advisories

All References (28)

Quick Facts

CVE IDCVE-2009-3956
CVSS Score10.0 / 10
SeverityCRITICAL
WeaknessCWE-16
CISA KEVNo
Affected4 vendor(s)
PublishedJan 13, 2010

Related CVEs (CWE-16)

Recommended Actions

  • Apply vendor patches immediately
  • Monitor CVE-2009-3956 in threat intel feeds
  • Review IDS/IPS signatures for exploitation attempts
Data sourced from NVD (NIST), CISA KEV, and EPSS (FIRST). Analysis generated by CTIWATCH.COM. CVE data is provided under the NVD usage policy.