Adobe reader cat Attach Module

[Ariel Ramos - Codingraph]

After the 01-feb-2025 update, all adobe reader installation (free and pay) don't allow users to attach modules in Preferences -> Signatures -> PKCS#11 Modules and tokens.  This really necesary for people that uses digital signature in macOS. I confirm this issue because I have a remote support service for digital signatures and tody I had 16 users having the same issue. So it has to be fiexd in net upgrade. The issue is happening in macOS ventura, sonoma, sequoia... so it is not related to the OS version.

[shubhampath]

Hi @Ariel Ramos - Codingraph ,

It looks like the path you are following to upload the PKCS#11 Modules is not correct. Kindly follow the steps mentioned in the image below to upload the PKCS#11 Modules
Preferences -> Signatures-> Identities & Trusted Certificates -> PKCS#11 Modules and Token->Attach Module

[Ariel Ramos - Codingraph]

Hi @shubhampath ,

thanks for your response.

In my first comment, I was trying to say that the "Attach Module" option is disabled in the latest Adobe Reader update. Could you please update your Adobe Reader and check if you experience the same issue? That way, you can see what I mean. This was reported in my business for several users that use Digital Signature

[shakti_7156]

Hi @Ariel Ramos - Codingraph 

Can you please share your version number and snapshot of About Acrobat details. Also, please share if Enable Protected Mode at startup checkbox is checked or unchecked in your case in Security(Enhanced) Preferences (If possible, share the screenshot)

Thanks,

Shakti K

[Ariel Ramos - Codingraph]

Hi @shakti_7156 @shubhampath sure, this the version:

We have noticed that the "Enable Protected Mode at startup" option is missing in Adobe Reader on all MacBooks in our environment. Instead of the option, there is just a blank space in the settings window. This issue occurs across multiple MacBooks, all running the same version of Adobe Reader as other computers where the option appears correctly. 

Regards

[felipe_8816]

Hi! I'm having the exact same problems since the update on Feb.1.

[ana_9328]

I just ran into the same problem.

Should I just simply wait for the next update?? How long does it usually take? 

[Ariel Ramos - Codingraph]

Hi @shubhampath as you can see, we are having this issue since the last update, I uploaded the details in the previous messages

Regards

[shakti_7156]

Hi @Ariel Ramos - Codingraph @ana_9328 @felipe_8816 ,

Adobe has added a security layer in its process which is Protected Mode and is available at Security(Enhanced) Preferences . Currently, In Protected Mode enabled, currently attach module option in PKCS11 is not supported. 

https://helpx.adobe.com/acrobat/kb/protected-mode-troubleshooting-reader.html#main_smartcard

Thanks,

Shakti K

Thanks,

Shakti K

[Ariel Ramos - Codingraph]

I found the solution @ana_9328  @felipe_8816  @shakti_7156 !! in the meantime Adobe developers solve the issue in the "New Adobe" version, I recorded a video with the simple steps: https://youtu.be/OvJMiU6Lr7M

[felipe_8816]

Thank you for your video! Everything worked just fine, except that now, when I try to Attach the module, the following message appears: "PKCS#11 cannot be loaded”. I thought it was due to Rosetta not being selected, but it was. I tried turning off the computer and installing Adobe Reader again, and following all your steps, but nothing worked: the same message appeared. I just installed an older version of Acrobat Reader and now I was able to Attach the Module and sign a document.

Regards

[Ariel Ramos - Codingraph]

Hi @felipe_8816 thanks for the details of this new issue, I will check it out, coudl you please tell where did you get the old adobe?. @shubhampath Please can younread all thos threath? The new Adobe Reader is having issues. 

[Patryk Sadoch]

@felipe_8816  @Ariel Ramos - Codingraph 
Hi, that was the same case for me when I started troubleshooting this problem after newest update. Even if the Attach module was active, it returned an error when actually providing a library file path.

I noticed that when I run Adobe Acrobat.app it actually opens the Adobe Acrobat Helper.app which is inside the Package Contentes ( go to Finder>Applications> find the Adobe Acrobat.app and right click it, choose Show Package Contents > Contents/Helpers/Adobe Acrobat Helper.app - > right click it > Get Info and turn on Rosetta. Only then run the Adobe Acrobat.app and try to Attach Module once again in Preferences. Worked for me on MacBook Air 2020 M1, macOS Sequoia 15.3 - managed to sign a PDF with a certificate on a smart card this way. I believe this whole problem exists only on ARM chips - at least from my experience, correct me if i am wrong.

Let me know if it works for you.

[maciej_dab]

@Patryk Sadoch @Ariel Ramos - Codingraph 

Thanks a lot for this tip, it helped on the MacBook Pro M4 Sequoia. 

The problem appeared after the update, while on other macbook's everything work fine on older version.

It looks like some kind of workaround - interesting to see if Adobe will do something about it.

[ahmet_3471]

Thank you so much.  This is the only solution available on the internet.

[pawe?_7075]

This worked great for me I don't even use Roseta. Upvote!

[Ariel Ramos - Codingraph]

Hi @Patryk Sadoch thanks, that worked for me, the Helper has to be in Rosetta mode, I really appreciate your help

[Ariel Ramos - Codingraph]

Thanks to @Patryk Sadoch I got the solution.

[link removed by moderator]

[flekkontrec]

This is it! Thanks!

[avdhut_]

I just turned off option going to Acrobat > Preferences > Security(Enhanced) > Enable protected mode at startup (preview) on Monterey 12.7.6 and it worked as it was working before new version of Adobe. I have another Sequoia 15.3.2 where rosetta for helper did not work where turning off above option worked.

So this solution should work on most Macs as this is Adobe's preview setting looks like newly introduced (preview features should not be enabled at first place)

[incredible_questioner6443]

This one was the solution that worked for me...or maybe a combination of both approaches. Now I am able to attach modules and sign documents again. Thanks a lot guys!!

[chandrachuda_2448]

You're saviour. You're better than the most of Adobe Engineers