How severe is CVE-2020-24433?

CVE-2020-24433 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 7.8, rated high severity. It is exploitable over local access with low attack complexity, requires no privileges and user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is high, integrity high, and availability high.

Is CVE-2020-24433 being actively exploited?

It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 15% (96th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

What products are affected by CVE-2020-24433?

CVE-2020-24433 primarily affects Adobe Acrobat. In total, 6 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.

How do I fix CVE-2020-24433?

Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround. Given its high severity, prioritise patching exposed systems.

When was CVE-2020-24433 published?

CVE-2020-24433 was published on 2020-11-05 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

CVE-2020-24433

CVE-2020-24433 is a high-severity vulnerability in Adobe Acrobat with a CVSS 3.x base score of 7.8. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score of 15% places it in the 96th percentile, indicating an elevated likelihood of exploitation. The underlying weakness is classified as CWE-284.

Key facts

Severity: High (CVSS 3.x base score 7.8)
CVSS v2: 9.3
EPSS exploit prediction: 15% (96th percentile)
Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
Weakness: CWE-284
Affected product: Adobe Acrobat
Published: 2020-11-05
Last modified: 2026-06-17

Description

Adobe Acrobat Reader DC versions 2020.012.20048 (and earlier), 2020.001.30005 (and earlier) and 2017.011.30175 (and earlier) are affected by a local privilege escalation vulnerability that could enable a user without administrator privileges to delete arbitrary files and potentially execute arbitrary code as SYSTEM. Exploitation of this issue requires an attacker to socially engineer a victim, or the attacker must already have some access to the environment.

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2020-24433?: Adobe Acrobat Reader DC versions 2020.012.20048 (and earlier), 2020.001.30005 (and earlier) and 2017.011.30175 (and earlier) are affected by a local privilege escalation vulnerability that could enable a user without administrator privileges to delete arbitrary files and potentially execute arbitrary code as SYSTEM. Exploitation of this issue requires an attacker to socially engineer a victim, or the attacker must already have some access to the environment.
How severe is CVE-2020-24433?: CVE-2020-24433 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 7.8, rated high severity. It is exploitable over local access with low attack complexity, requires no privileges and user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is high, integrity high, and availability high.
Is CVE-2020-24433 being actively exploited?: It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 15% (96th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
What products are affected by CVE-2020-24433?: CVE-2020-24433 primarily affects Adobe Acrobat. In total, 6 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.
How do I fix CVE-2020-24433?: Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround. Given its high severity, prioritise patching exposed systems.
When was CVE-2020-24433 published?: CVE-2020-24433 was published on 2020-11-05 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

References

https://helpx.adobe.com/security/products/acrobat/apsb20-67.html

Affected products (6)

cpe:2.3:a:adobe:acrobat:*:*:*:*:classic:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:adobe:acrobat_dc:*:*:*:*:classic:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:adobe:acrobat_dc:*:*:*:*:continuous:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:adobe:acrobat_reader:*:*:*:*:classic:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:adobe:acrobat_reader_dc:*:*:*:*:classic:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:adobe:acrobat_reader_dc:*:*:*:*:continuous:*:*:*

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