CVE-2010-1240

Status: ModifiedHigh (9.3)—💥 Exploit

Adobe Reader and Acrobat 9.x before 9.3.3, and 8.x before 8.2.3 on Windows and Mac OS X, do not restrict the contents of one text field in the Launch File warning dialog, which makes it easier for remote attackers to trick users into executing an arbitrary local program that was specified in a PDF document, as demonstrated by a text field that claims that the Open button will enable the user to read an encrypted message.

CVSS

Version: 2.0
Vector: AV:N/AC:M/Au:N/C:C/I:C/A:C
Base score: 9.3

Exploitation probability (EPSS)

Probability of exploitation in the next 30 days: 74%
Percentile among all scored CVEs: 99
Score date: 10/11/2026

EPSS (Exploit Prediction Scoring System, FIRST) estimates how likely a vulnerability is to be exploited in the wild within 30 days. It complements CVSS (impact) and CISA KEV (confirmed exploitation).

💥 Public exploits

Exploit code or detection templates are publicly available. This is not the same as confirmed active exploitation (KEV), but it raises the risk: patch with priority.

Metasploit module (reliable, widely available exploit) · Adobe PDF Embedded EXE Social Engineering
Metasploit module (reliable, widely available exploit) · Adobe PDF Escape EXE Social Engineering (No JavaScript)
Published on Exploit-DB · Adobe PDF - Embedded EXE Social Engineering (Metasploit) (12/16/2010)
Published on Exploit-DB · Adobe PDF - Escape EXE Social Engineering (No JavaScript) (Metasploit) (12/16/2010)
Published on Exploit-DB · Adobe Reader - Escape From '.PDF' Execute Embedded Executable (3/31/2010)
Proof of concept on GitHub (unverified) · List of proofs of concept on GitHub

⚠️ GitHub proofs of concept are not verified: some are fake or contain malware. Never run them outside an isolated lab.

Affected technologies (1)

Adobe — Acrobat Reader

CWEs

CWE-264

References

Raw JSON (NVD)

Show

{
  "id": "CVE-2010-1240",
  "cveTags": [],
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        "source": "nvd@nist.gov",
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          "accessVector": "NETWORK",
          "vectorString": "AV:N/AC:M/Au:N/C:C/I:C/A:C",
          "authentication": "NONE",
          "integrityImpact": "COMPLETE",
          "accessComplexity": "MEDIUM",
          "availabilityImpact": "COMPLETE",
          "confidentialityImpact": "COMPLETE"
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        "acInsufInfo": false,
        "impactScore": 10,
        "baseSeverity": "HIGH",
        "obtainAllPrivilege": false,
        "exploitabilityScore": 8.6,
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        "obtainOtherPrivilege": false,
        "userInteractionRequired": true
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  "published": "2010-04-05T15:30:01.313",
  "references": [
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      "url": "http://blog.didierstevens.com/2010/03/29/escape-from-pdf/",
      "tags": [
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  ],
  "vulnStatus": "Modified",
  "weaknesses": [
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      "source": "nvd@nist.gov",
      "description": [
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          "lang": "en",
          "value": "CWE-264"
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    {
      "lang": "en",
      "value": "Adobe Reader and Acrobat 9.x before 9.3.3, and 8.x before 8.2.3 on Windows and Mac OS X, do not restrict the contents of one text field in the Launch File warning dialog, which makes it easier for remote attackers to trick users into executing an arbitrary local program that was specified in a PDF document, as demonstrated by a text field that claims that the Open button will enable the user to read an encrypted message."
    },
    {
      "lang": "es",
      "value": "Reader y Acrobat de Adobe versiones 9.x anteriores a 9.3.3, y versiones 8.x anteriores a 8.2.3, sobre Windows y Mac OS X, no restringen el contenido de un campo de texto en el cuadro de diálogo de advertencia Iniciar Archivo, lo que facilita a los atacantes remotos engañar a los usuarios para que ejecuten un programa local arbitrario que se especificó en un documento PDF, como es demostrado por un campo de texto que afirma que el botón Abrir permitirá al usuario leer un mensaje cifrado."
    }
  ],
  "lastModified": "2026-06-16T23:17:56.153",
  "configurations": [
    {
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        {
          "negate": false,
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}