CVE-2008-0655: Adobe Acrobat and Reader Unspecified Vulnerability

CVE-2008-0655 is an unspecified design flaw in Adobe Acrobat and Reader. A specially crafted file can cause the software to print silently an arbitrary number of times. For IT and security teams this matters because silent, repeated printing can waste resources, disrupt operations, or serve as a low-noise abuse path on systems that handle untrusted PDF content. Confirm all version and fix details against the vendor advisory.

How it works

Public detail describes the issue only as a design flaw; no CWE is specified. An attacker supplies a specially crafted file that the Acrobat or Reader application processes. When the file is opened or otherwise handled, the application can issue print jobs without normal user interaction or confirmation, repeating them an arbitrary number of times. The exact trigger conditions and internal mechanics are not detailed in the available summary, so defenders should treat any untrusted PDF or related document as a potential vector and verify behavior against the vendor advisory rather than assuming a particular exploit technique.

Because the flaw is characterized as a design issue rather than a classic memory-corruption bug, exploitation may not require elevated privileges beyond the ability to deliver and open the file in the affected application. Impact is primarily the unauthorized consumption of print resources and the potential for repeated background activity that could mask other malicious actions.

Am I affected? How to find it in your systems

Adobe Acrobat and Reader are commonly installed on end-user workstations, kiosks, and some server or VDI environments that render or convert PDFs. Inventory every host that has either product installed. Use software asset management, package inventories, or endpoint management queries to list Acrobat and Reader installations and record the exact build numbers present.

• Compare those builds to the fixed versions listed in the vendor advisory; do not rely on generic version ranges.
• Identify systems that automatically open or preview PDFs from email, web downloads, or shared folders, as these increase exposure.
• Review print-spooler and application logs for unexpected bursts of print jobs, jobs with no corresponding user action, or repeated jobs originating from Acrobat/Reader processes.
• Where centralized logging exists, alert on Acrobat/Reader process starts that immediately precede high-volume or silent print activity.

If telemetry is sparse, prioritize manual checks on high-risk user populations (finance, legal, external-facing roles) and any shared print queues.

How to remediate

The required action is to apply updates per vendor instructions. Obtain the security update that addresses CVE-2008-0655 directly from Adobe, test it in a representative environment, and deploy it to all affected Acrobat and Reader installations as quickly as change control allows. After patching, verify the new build numbers match the advisory and confirm that previously observed silent-print behavior no longer occurs with test files.

Beyond the patch, harden the PDF handling path: restrict the ability of Acrobat/Reader to access local printers where business needs permit, enforce least-privilege accounts for users who process untrusted documents, and keep the applications configured to prompt before printing when that option is available. Remove or disable unused Acrobat/Reader components and plugins that are not required.

If you can't patch immediately

Until the vendor update can be applied, reduce risk with compensating controls. Segment hosts that must run Acrobat or Reader so they cannot reach sensitive print infrastructure or high-value networks. Where a web application firewall or email gateway can inspect attachments, block or quarantine PDFs that exhibit anomalous structure; treat this as virtual patching only and validate rules carefully. Disable automatic PDF preview and silent printing features if the product configuration allows it. Increase monitoring of print queues and Acrobat/Reader process activity, and alert on any sudden increase in job volume or jobs lacking interactive user context. Consider temporary application allow-listing or execution restrictions that limit which users can launch the affected binaries.

If your data may have been exposed

Actively exploited vulnerabilities can lead to broader compromise even when the initial impact appears limited to printing. If you have evidence of exploitation or suspect untrusted files were opened on unpatched systems, follow your incident-response process: isolate affected hosts, preserve logs, and hunt for follow-on activity. You can run a free exposure scan of your email addresses to check whether credentials or other data appear in known breach collections, then force password resets and review access as needed.