--- title: "CVE-2009-3459: Heap-based Buffer Overflow | CubePath" description: "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…" language: en source: https://cubepath.com/security/cve/CVE-2009-3459 --- # CVE-2009-3459: Heap-based Buffer Overflow | CubePath ## Description 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. Official description from the CVE record, published by adobe. Copyright © 1999-2026 The MITRE Corporation. See [/security/cve/legal](https://cubepath.com/security/cve/legal) for the CVE license. [View the record on cve.org](https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2009-3459) ## Key data ### CVSS 3.1 High 8.8 Score published by CISA-ADP in the CVE record. CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H | Metric | Value | What it means | | ---------------------- | --------- | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | Attack vector | Network | The vulnerable component can be reached over a network, possibly from the Internet. | | Attack complexity | Low | No special conditions are needed. The attack can be repeated at will. | | Privileges required | None | No account or privileges are needed. | | User interaction | Required | A user has to do something first, such as opening a file or following a link. | | Scope | Unchanged | The impact stays within the vulnerable component. | | Confidentiality impact | High | Serious or total effect on the secrecy of data. | | Integrity impact | High | Serious or total effect on the trustworthiness of data. | | Availability impact | High | Serious or total effect on availability. | CVSS is owned and managed by FIRST.Org, Inc. (FIRST) and is used by permission. Each CVSS score on this site is shown together with its vector string, as published in the CVE record by the source named next to it. Learn more at [first.org/cvss](https://www.first.org/cvss/) . ### EPSS Exploit Prediction Scoring System by FIRST: an estimate of the probability that exploitation activity will be observed in the next 30 days. Score 0.86531 (86.5% probability) Percentile 99.7% Scores of Nov 10, 2026 Model v2026.06.15 ### CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities This CVE is listed in the CISA KEV catalog. Name in the catalog Adobe Acrobat and Reader Heap-Based Buffer Overflow Vulnerability Added to the catalog May 20, 2026 Federal due date Jun 3, 2026 ### CISA assessment as of May 20, 2026 Stakeholder-Specific Vulnerability Categorization (SSVC) decision points added by CISA. Exploitation Recorded by CISA as active Automatable no Technical impact total ### Weakness (CWE) CWE catalog version 5.0. CWE names: Copyright © 2006-2026, The MITRE Corporation. See [/security/cve/legal](https://cubepath.com/security/cve/legal) for the CWE license. - [CWE-122](https://cwe.mitre.org/data/definitions/122.html) Heap-based Buffer Overflow ## References Links listed in the CVE record. They lead to other sites, which CubePath does not control. - [36983](http://secunia.com/advisories/36983) (secunia.com) third-party-advisory - [oval:org.mitre.oval:def:6534](https://oval.cisecurity.org/repository/search/definition/oval%3Aorg.mitre.oval%3Adef%3A6534) (oval.cisecurity.org) vdb-entry signature - [TA09-286B](http://www.us-cert.gov/cas/techalerts/TA09-286B.html) (us-cert.gov) third-party-advisory - [1023007](http://securitytracker.com/id?1023007) (securitytracker.com) vdb-entry - [adobe.com/support/security/bulletins/apsb09-15.html](http://www.adobe.com/support/security/bulletins/apsb09-15.html) - [20091009 Adobe Acrobat and Acrobat Reader Remote Code Execution](http://www.iss.net/threats/348.html) (iss.net) third-party-advisory - [ADV-2009-2851](http://www.vupen.com/english/advisories/2009/2851) (vupen.com) vdb-entry - [isc.sans.org/diary.html?storyid=7300](http://isc.sans.org/diary.html?storyid=7300) - [blogs.adobe.com/psirt/2009/10/adobe\_reader\_and\_acrobat\_issu…](http://blogs.adobe.com/psirt/2009/10/adobe%5Freader%5Fand%5Facrobat%5Fissue%5F1.html) - [36600](http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/36600) (securityfocus.com) vdb-entry - [ADV-2009-2898](http://www.vupen.com/english/advisories/2009/2898) (vupen.com) vdb-entry - [adobe-reader-pdf-code-execution(53691)](https://exchange.xforce.ibmcloud.com/vulnerabilities/53691) (exchange.xforce.ibmcloud.com) vdb-entry ## Timeline 1. ID reserved Sep 29, 2009 2. Record published Oct 13, 2009 3. Added to CISA KEV May 20, 2026 4. Record last updated May 21, 2026 ## Look up another CVE ## About CubePath CubePath is a cloud provider with data centers in Europe and the United States. It offers VPS, bare metal servers and DDoS protection. [Cloud VPS](https://cubepath.com/vps) [DDoS protection](https://cubepath.com/ddos-protection) Data from the CVE Program (MITRE), CISA KEV and FIRST EPSS. CVSS is owned by FIRST and used by permission. Not affiliated with or endorsed by MITRE, CISA or FIRST. Data as of Nov 10, 2026, 19:11 UTC. [Sources and licenses](https://cubepath.com/security/cve/legal)