CVE-2009-1493

The customDictionaryOpen spell method in the JavaScript API in Adobe Reader 9.1, 8.1.4, 7.1.1,...

6.8 MediumPublic exploit

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.

Exploit likelihood

21.8%Down 46.4 points since Feb 4, 2022

What each source reports

NVD Score used 6.8

Record: CVE-2009-1493
CVSS 2.0: 6.8 MediumAV:N/AC:M/Au:N/C:P/I:P/A:P
Weakness: CWE-399
Updated: 2026-11-02

CVE List No score

Record: CVE-2009-1493
Updated: 2026-11-02

EUVDEUVD-2009-1490 No score

Record: EUVD-2009-1490
Updated: 2026-11-03

GitHub AdvisoriesGHSA-f62c-gjq3-9jwj No score

The customDictionaryOpen spell method in the JavaScript API in Adobe Reader 9.1, 8.1.4, 7.1.1,...

Record: GHSA-f62c-gjq3-9jwj
Updated: 2026-11-02

Affected products

adobe reader

Affected packages

Affected packages
Package	Affected	Fixed
`acroread` Red Hat:rhel_extras:3 From an advisory covering 2 CVEs	before 0:8.1.5-2	0:8.1.5-2
`acroread-plugin` Red Hat:rhel_extras:3 From an advisory covering 2 CVEs	before 0:8.1.5-2	0:8.1.5-2
`acroread` Red Hat:rhel_extras:4 From an advisory covering 2 CVEs	before 0:8.1.5-1.el4	0:8.1.5-1.el4
`acroread-plugin` Red Hat:rhel_extras:4 From an advisory covering 2 CVEs	before 0:8.1.5-1.el4	0:8.1.5-1.el4
`acroread` Red Hat:rhel_extras:5::client From an advisory covering 2 CVEs	before 0:8.1.5-1.el5	0:8.1.5-1.el5
`acroread-plugin` Red Hat:rhel_extras:5::client From an advisory covering 2 CVEs	before 0:8.1.5-1.el5	0:8.1.5-1.el5
`acroread` Red Hat:rhel_extras:5::server From an advisory covering 2 CVEs	before 0:8.1.5-1.el5	0:8.1.5-1.el5
`acroread-plugin` Red Hat:rhel_extras:5::server From an advisory covering 2 CVEs	before 0:8.1.5-1.el5	0:8.1.5-1.el5

Public exploits

Links only. Every CVE stores no exploit code.

Public exploits
Source	Link	Date
Exploit-DB	Adobe 8.1.4/9.1 - 'customDictionaryOpen()' Code Execution	2009-04-29

History

History
Recorded	Changed	Sources
Nov 6, 2026	affected, facts
Nov 3, 2026	aliases	EUVD
Nov 2, 2026	first indexed	CVE List, Exploit-DB, GitHub Advisories, NVD, OSV

Dates are when Every CVE recorded each change. Upstream dates may differ.

In short

CVE-2009-1493 is a medium vulnerability (CVSS 6.8) in Adobe Reader, published April 30, 2009. Public exploit code exists. EPSS puts the chance of exploitation in the next 30 days at 21.8%, the 97th percentile. No source names a fixed version.

References

Show 31 moreShow less