CVE-2018-5040

Exploitation likely. EPSS gives it a 11% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days. A vendor fix is available.

CVSS 3.08.8High EPSS percentile96th11% chance in 30 days CISA KEVNot listedNo confirmed exploitation
No public exploit known FixVendor fixNo build named by the sources

Published 2018-07-20Updated 2024-11-21Sources: CVE.org, NVD

NVD CVE.org

What to do

The vendor has published a fix. Version details are below where the sources state them.

n/a Adobe Acrobat and Reader 2018.011.20040 and earlier, 2017.011.30080 and earlier, and 2015.006.30418 and earlier versionsAffected: Adobe Acrobat and Reader 2018.011.20040 and earlier, 2017.011.30080 and…Upgrade to: not statedStated by: CVE record
Adobe Acrobat DcAffected: ≥ 15.006.30060, ≤ 15.006.30418Upgrade to: after 15.006.30418Stated by: NVD

Versions as the sources state them. Full version matrix after sign-in

Steps

Written by AI from the record

Check the installed Adobe Acrobat and Reader version on every business computer, especially devices that open emailed or downloaded files.
Update the 2018 branch to 2018.011.20042, the 2017 branch to 2017.011.30082, or the 2015 branch to 2015.006.30420 or later.
Until updates are complete, tell staff not to open unexpected files and quarantine suspicious file attachments.

Vendor advisory Some work to apply

Check it yourselfA free OpenVAS check exists for this CVE. Run it against your hosts.Is your organisation exposed?Request an assessment to establish which checks fit your systems.

What it is

From the CVE record

Adobe Acrobat and Reader 2018.011.20040 and earlier, 2017.011.30080 and earlier, and 2015.006.30418 and earlier versions have a Heap Overflow vulnerability. Successful exploitation could lead to arbitrary code execution in the context of the current user.

In plain language

Written by AI from the record

Businesses using Adobe Acrobat and Reader 2018.011.20040 or earlier, 2017.011.30080 or earlier, or 2015.006.30418 or earlier should update because a malicious file someone opens can let an attacker take over that computer.

Unauthenticated, network-delivered heap overflow (CWE-787) in Adobe Acrobat and Reader allows arbitrary code execution in the current-user context when crafted content is opened.

If you're affected

Computer takeover
Business data exposure
File alteration
Operational disruption

What is it

This is a flaw in how the software handles a specially prepared file. Opening that file can be like handing a stranger the keys to the computer: they may be able to view business information, change files, or stop work on the device.

Who is affected

This matters to you if staff use Adobe Acrobat and Reader to open files on company computers. It is only a risk when an affected computer opens malicious content.

How urgent is it

The attack requires someone to open a malicious file, and there is no confirmed active exploitation or public exploit code on record. Treat this as amber: schedule updates promptly, with priority for computers whose users regularly open emailed or downloaded files.

What to do — in detail

Confirm the installed product branch and version through the application’s About screen or your software-management inventory. Remediate the 2018 branch to 2018.011.20042 or later, the 2017 branch to 2017.011.30082 or later, and the 2015 branch to 2015.006.30420 or later; test the update on representative systems if older workflows depend on the legacy branch.

If patching is delayed, reduce exposure by blocking or quarantining unexpected file attachments and instructing users to verify unexpected files with the sender before opening them. This CVE is not in CISA’s Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog, so there is no CISA remediation due date. Monitor email-security quarantines and endpoint alerts for suspicious programs launched after a user opens a document.

Technical context

CVSS v3.0 is 8.8 (High): AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H. The issue is a CWE-787 heap overflow reachable in the default configuration; no authentication is required, but user interaction with crafted content is required. EPSS is 11.3% (96th percentile) and flat. It is not listed in CISA KEV, and no public exploit code is on record.

This is a general assessment based on public vulnerability data. It does not account for your specific infrastructure — when in doubt, consult a security specialist.

Exploitation

Where each signal puts this CVE on the scale from published to confirmed exploited.

EPSS96th

CISA KEV

Not in the catalog. CISA has not confirmed exploitation.

Public exploits

No public exploit or proof of concept found in the sources we track.

EPSS

11% chance of exploitation activity in the next 30 days, which ranks it in the 96th percentile of scored CVEs.

Exploit Prediction Scoring System, FIRST.org. A probability, not a confirmation.

Lifecycle

22 events over 2987 days, from the signal feeds we watch.

2026-09-23EPSS band changelow → moderateepss band change
2026-09-21EPSS band changemoderate → lowepss band change
2026-09-06EPSS band change0 → moderateepss band change
2026-09-05EPSS band changemoderate → 0epss band change
2026-08-31EPSS band change0 → moderateepss band change
2026-08-28EPSS band changemoderate → 0epss band change

Affected products

adobecommercial · USaka adobe systems inc.
- acrobat reader dcDesktop AppOn-premConsumer Software / productivity

And 2 more affected products. See all after sign-in

Technical detail

CVSS 3.0 vector

Open in the CVSS calculator

CVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

Scored 8.8 by NVD.

How it is reached

Attack Vector NetworkExploitable remotely over the network without any special conditions
Attack Complexity LowNo special conditions — the attack can be reliably reproduced
Privileges Required NoneNo authentication required — anyone can exploit this
User Interaction RequiredA user must click a link, open a file, or perform some action

Scope

Scope UnchangedImpact is limited to the vulnerable component itself

Impact if exploited

Confidentiality HighTotal information disclosure — all data in the component is compromised
Integrity HighTotal loss of integrity — attacker can modify any data in the component
Availability HighTotal denial of service — the component is completely unavailable