Adobe Reader Critical Quarterly Security Update

Adobe has released the quarterly security update for Adobe Reader and Acrobat XI for Windows and Macintosh. The update addresses numerous critical vulnerabilities and should be installed as soon as possible.

Release date: October 13, 2015
Vulnerability identifier: APSB15-24
CVE numbers: CVE-2015-5583, CVE-2015-5586, CVE-2015-6683, CVE-2015-6684, CVE-2015-6685, CVE-2015-6686, CVE-2015-6687, CVE-2015-6688, CVE-2015-6689, CVE-2015-6690, CVE-2015-6691, CVE-2015-6692, CVE-2015-6693, CVE-2015-6694, CVE-2015-6695, CVE-2015-6696, CVE-2015-6697, CVE-2015-6698, CVE-2015-6699, CVE-2015-6700, CVE-2015-6701, CVE-2015-6702, CVE-2015-6703, CVE-2015-6704, CVE-2015-6705, CVE-2015-6706, CVE-2015-6707, CVE-2015-6708, CVE-2015-6709, CVE-2015-6710, CVE-2015-6711, CVE-2015-6712, CVE-2015-6713, CVE-2015-6714, CVE-2015-6715, CVE-2015-6716, CVE-2015-6717, CVE-2015-6718, CVE-2015-6719, CVE-2015-6720, CVE-2015-6721, CVE-2015-6722, CVE-2015-6723, CVE-2015-6724, CVE-2015-6725, CVE-2015-7614, CVE-2015-7615, CVE-2015-7616, CVE-2015-7617, CVE-2015-7618, CVE-2015-7619, CVE-2015-7620, CVE-2015-7621, CVE-2015-7622, CVE-2015-7623, CVE-2015-7624
Platform: Windows and Macintosh

Update or Complete Download

Update checks can be manually activated by choosing Help > Check for Updates.

• Adobe Reader XI (11.0.13, Pro and Standard) for Windows is available here: http://www.adobe.com/support/downloads/product.jsp?product=1&platform=Windows.

Note: UNcheck any pre-checked additional options presented with the update. They are not part of the software update and are completely optional.

Windows XP

If you are still using Windows XP and have Adobe Reader installed, please note that there will be no additional security updates for it.  I suggest uninstalling it and install an alternate reader.  Personally, I like Sumatra PDF.  It isn't a target and doesn't include unwanted extras with the install or updates.  (See Replacing Adobe Reader with Sumatra PDF.)  Adobe Reference:  End of support | Acrobat and Reader for Windows XP

Enable "Protected View"

Due to frequent vulnerabilities, it is recommended that Windows users of Adobe Reader and Acrobat ensure that Protected View is enabled.  Neither the Protected Mode or Protected View option is available for Macintosh users.

To enable this setting, do the following:

• Click Edit > Preferences > Security (Enhanced) menu. 
• Change the "Off" setting to "All Files".
• Ensure the "Enable Enhanced Security" box is checked. 

Image via Sophos Naked Security Blog

If you are looking for a replacement for Adobe Reader, consider Replacing Adobe Reader with Sumatra PDF.

References

• Release Notes | Acrobat, Reader
• Security Bulletin
• System Requirements

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