Adobe to patch critical hole in Reader
Summary
Topics
Adobe will release a patch on Thursday for a critical hole in Reader that was disclosed at the Black Hat conference late last month, the company said on Wednesday.
The security update will resolve an undisclosed number of critical issues in Reader 9.3.3 for Windows, Mac, and Unix; Acrobat 9.3.3 for Windows and Mac; and Reader 8.2.3 and Acrobat 8.2.3 for Windows and Mac, according to Adobe's advisory.
The flaw, which could be exploited to take control of a computer, is related to the way Adobe's PDF (portable document format) reader software handles fonts, said Charlie Miller, principal analyst at Independent Security Evaluators who disclosed the hole at the security conference.
For more on this story, read Critical Adobe Reader hole to be patched Thursday on CNET News.
Talkback Most Recent of 5 Talkback(s)
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Linux is fine
these flaws work only on windoze.
Linux Geek19th Aug 2010 -
RE: Adobe to patch critical hole in Reader
@Linux Geek
Are you sure? Unix is mention in the list of affected operating systems.
AndyPagin19th Aug 2010 -
RE: Adobe to patch critical hole in Reader
I have Linux - but I don't have or need Adobe Acrobat reader. Hence I'm not affected.
JeremyBoden20th Aug 2010 -
RE: Adobe to patch critical hole in Reader
Isn't this about the 3rd or 4th "minor" update to Reader in the last 30 days? 'Bout every time I turn around it's announcing that it wants to do another update. Perhaps there's another pdf reader program for Win just like there's a GNU-based one for Linux.
daves164620th Aug 2010 -
Yes, there are other PDF Reader programs.
@daves1646
Yes, there are other PDF Reader programs (try CNET, Tucows,etc.), but most people don't bother with them because the Adobe reader is free.
Maybe this will change if the Adobe reader keeps showing vulnerabilities, although probably the only security advantage of the others is their small market share and thus lower desirability as an exploit target.
ausvirgo21st Aug 2010
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