Adobe releases a patch for Acrobat Vulnerability

Adobe released an update that fixes the leak in Adobe Acrobat/Reader PDF documents found some time ago in version 8.1 and earlier versions of Adobe Reader and Acrobat. The flaw could allow hackers to use a malicious code added to PDF documents to take control of Window XP computers with Internet Explorer 7 installed.

Adobe strongly recommends upgrading to Adobe Reader 8.1.1 or Acrobat 8.1.1.

Users can download Adobe Reader 8.1.1 update files manually and install from here. The Acrobat 8.1.1 update files can be downloaded and install from here.

In the security bulletin Adobe notes that Microsoft may also be providing an update to resolve this issue at a later date. Users can refer to Microsoft Security Advisory 943521 for more information.

Adobe will provide an update to Adobe Reader 7.0.9 and Acrobat 7.0.9 later on. For customers who can not upgrade to Adobe Reader 8.1.1 or Acrobat 8.1.1, Adobe offers a workaround involving disabling the mailto: option in Acrobat, Acrobat 3D and Adobe Reader by modifying the application options in the Windows registry.