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5.3

Apple Pages, Numbers, Keynote can lose PDF passwords

CVE-2017-2391 · published 9 years ago
Summary

Older versions of Apple’s Pages, Numbers and Keynote on macOS and iOS allow a workaround that removes password protection from exported PDFs. This means someone could open a document that was meant to be locked. Update the apps to the latest versions to restore proper PDF password security.

What to do

The CVE record does not list a fixed version. Check the vendor's site or the advisory links below - a fix may already be released.

Affected software
VendorProductAffected versions
apple keynote <= 7.0.5
<= 3.0.5
cpe:2.3:a:apple:keynote:*:*:*:*:*:mac_os_x:*:*
apple numbers <= 4.0.5
<= 3.0.5
cpe:2.3:a:apple:numbers:*:*:*:*:*:mac_os_x:*:*
apple pages <= 6.0.5
<= 3.0.5
cpe:2.3:a:apple:pages:*:*:*:*:*:mac_os_x:*:*
Original advisory text
An issue was discovered in certain Apple products. Pages before 6.1, Numbers before 4.1, and Keynote before 7.1 on macOS and Pages before 3.1, Numbers before 3.1, and Keynote before 3.1 on iOS are ...
An issue was discovered in certain Apple products. Pages before 6.1, Numbers before 4.1, and Keynote before 7.1 on macOS and Pages before 3.1, Numbers before 3.1, and Keynote before 3.1 on iOS are affected. The issue involves the "Export" component. It allows users to bypass iWork PDF password protection by leveraging use of 40-bit RC4.
References
Fix within
Internet-facing 14 days
Internal 60 days
  • Not known to be exploited
  • Can be exploited automatically (estimated)
  • Gives an attacker partial control (estimated)
Severity
5.3 Medium
Exploitation
<1% chance of attack within 30 days
Type
CWE-326Inadequate Encryption Strength
Timeline
Published2 Apr 2017
Updated4 Nov 2026
First seen29 Sep 2026
Sources
CVE-2017-2391 · NVD
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