This vulnerability allows remote attackers to bypass API restrictions on vulnerable installations of Adobe Reader. User interaction is required to exploit this vulnerability in that the target must visit a malicious page or open a malicious file.
The specific flaw exists within AFParseDate. By creating a specially crafted PDF with specific JavaScript instructions, it is possible to bypass the Javascript API restrictions. A remote attacker could exploit this vulnerability to execute arbitrary code.
Adobe Reader and Acrobat 10.x before 10.1.14 and 11.x before 11.0.11 on Windows and OS X are vulnerable.
Notes:
The code assumes you attached a DLL named exploit.txt to the PDF document.
Acrobat will execute updaternotifications.dll if it's in the same directory as the Acrobat executable or the same directory as the document being opened.
Credit for discovery and the initial POC that illustrates code being executed in the privileged context goes to the Zero Day Initiative.