CVE-2009-1493

Name: CVE-2009-1493
Creator: NVD / NIST
Published: 2009-04-30T20:30:00.687+00:00
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/

UnknownEPSS 21.83%

Last modified Jun 16, 2026

CVE-2009-1493 is a vulnerability of currently unknown severity. The customDictionaryOpen spell method in the JavaScript API in Adobe Reader 9.1, 8.1.4, 7.1.1, and earlier on Linux and UNIX allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (memory corruption) or execute arbitrary code via a PDF file that triggers a call to this method with a long string in the second argument.. EPSS estimates a 21.83% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days.

Description

The customDictionaryOpen spell method in the JavaScript API in Adobe Reader 9.1, 8.1.4, 7.1.1, and earlier on Linux and UNIX allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (memory corruption) or execute arbitrary code via a PDF file that triggers a call to this method with a long string in the second argument.

Metrics

EPSS Probability

21.83%

97.3th percentile

Probability of exploitation in the next 30 days. Learn more

Weakness Enumeration

CWE-399

Affected Software

Vendor	Product	Versions
Adobe	Reader	8.1.4
Adobe	Reader	9.1

References

http://blogs.adobe.com/psirt/2009/04/update_on_adobe_reader_issue.htmlVendor Advisory
http://blogs.adobe.com/psirt/2009/05/adobe_reader_issue_update.htmlThird Party Advisory
http://lists.opensuse.org/opensuse-security-announce/2009-05/msg00001.htmlMailing List, Third Party Advisory
http://lists.opensuse.org/opensuse-security-announce/2009-06/msg00003.htmlMailing List, Third Party Advisory
http://osvdb.org/54129Broken Link
http://packetstorm.linuxsecurity.com/0904-exploits/spell.txtExploit
http://secunia.com/advisories/34924Broken Link
http://secunia.com/advisories/35055Broken Link
http://secunia.com/advisories/35096Broken Link
http://secunia.com/advisories/35152Broken Link
http://secunia.com/advisories/35358Broken Link
http://secunia.com/advisories/35416Broken Link
http://secunia.com/advisories/35734Broken Link
http://security.gentoo.org/glsa/glsa-200907-06.xmlThird Party Advisory
http://sunsolve.sun.com/search/document.do?assetkey=1-66-259028-1Broken Link
http://support.nortel.com/go/main.jsp?cscat=BLTNDETAIL&id=926953Third Party Advisory
http://www.adobe.com/support/security/bulletins/apsb09-06.htmlThird Party Advisory
http://www.kb.cert.org/vuls/id/970180Third Party Advisory, US Government Resource
http://www.redhat.com/support/errata/RHSA-2009-0478.htmlThird Party Advisory
http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/34740Exploit, Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry
http://www.securitytracker.com/id?1022139Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry
http://www.us-cert.gov/cas/techalerts/TA09-133B.htmlThird Party Advisory, US Government Resource
http://www.vupen.com/english/advisories/2009/1189Broken Link
http://www.vupen.com/english/advisories/2009/1317Broken Link
https://exchange.xforce.ibmcloud.com/vulnerabilities/50146Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry
https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/8570Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry
http://blogs.adobe.com/psirt/2009/04/update_on_adobe_reader_issue.htmlVendor Advisory
http://blogs.adobe.com/psirt/2009/05/adobe_reader_issue_update.htmlThird Party Advisory
http://lists.opensuse.org/opensuse-security-announce/2009-05/msg00001.htmlMailing List, Third Party Advisory
http://lists.opensuse.org/opensuse-security-announce/2009-06/msg00003.htmlMailing List, Third Party Advisory
http://osvdb.org/54129Broken Link
http://packetstorm.linuxsecurity.com/0904-exploits/spell.txtExploit
http://secunia.com/advisories/34924Broken Link
http://secunia.com/advisories/35055Broken Link
http://secunia.com/advisories/35096Broken Link
http://secunia.com/advisories/35152Broken Link
http://secunia.com/advisories/35358Broken Link
http://secunia.com/advisories/35416Broken Link
http://secunia.com/advisories/35734Broken Link
http://security.gentoo.org/glsa/glsa-200907-06.xmlThird Party Advisory
http://sunsolve.sun.com/search/document.do?assetkey=1-66-259028-1Broken Link
http://support.nortel.com/go/main.jsp?cscat=BLTNDETAIL&id=926953Third Party Advisory
http://www.adobe.com/support/security/bulletins/apsb09-06.htmlThird Party Advisory
http://www.kb.cert.org/vuls/id/970180Third Party Advisory, US Government Resource
http://www.redhat.com/support/errata/RHSA-2009-0478.htmlThird Party Advisory
http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/34740Exploit, Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry
http://www.securitytracker.com/id?1022139Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry
http://www.us-cert.gov/cas/techalerts/TA09-133B.htmlThird Party Advisory, US Government Resource
http://www.vupen.com/english/advisories/2009/1189Broken Link
http://www.vupen.com/english/advisories/2009/1317Broken Link
https://exchange.xforce.ibmcloud.com/vulnerabilities/50146Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry
https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/8570Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry

Timeline

Published: Apr 30, 2009
Last Modified: Jun 16, 2026
Status: Modified

Frequently Asked Questions

What is CVE-2009-1493?

How severe is CVE-2009-1493?

Severity scoring for CVE-2009-1493 is pending analysis. The EPSS model estimates a 21.83% probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

How do I fix CVE-2009-1493?

Check the vendor references and advisories linked above for patched versions and mitigation guidance. You can also run a Strix scan to test if your systems are affected.

Are you affected by CVE-2009-1493?

Run a free Strix scan to check your systems for this vulnerability.

Scan your code now

Source: NVD / NIST