Adobe adds security features to Acrobat and Reader
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
Adobe Systems on Tuesday released new versions of Reader and Acrobat to fix security vulnerabilities in the popular PDF software. Acrobat and Reader 9.2 and 8.1.7 are shipped with a beta updater for more streamlined updating.
The new updater ships in a "passive state," but Adobe said it plans to activate it for end users invited into the beta program, "which will allow us to test a variety of network configurations encountered on the internet in order to ensure a robust update experience."
Adobe Reader and Acrobat 9.2 and 8.1.7 updates also include security features to alert end users who have Javascript disabled in the product. When Javascript is disabled, the gold bar at the top of the document will alert users to options for enabling Javascript for that document.
Javascript is frequently exploited by cyberattackers for distribution of malware, which is why Adobe is also introducing a Javascript Blacklist Framework, to protect customers against attacks that target a specific Javascript API call.
Adobe came under criticism earlier this year for its slow response to reported security vulnerabilities in its products, prompting the company to change its updating procedures. Adobe now issues quarterly security patches times to coincide with Microsoft's monthly patch releases.
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