CVE-2021-21067 is an out-of-bounds write vulnerability (CWE-787) found in Adobe Photoshop versions 21.2.5 and earlier, as well as 22.2 and earlier. The flaw exists within the CoolType library, a component responsible for font rendering and text processing. An out-of-bounds write occurs when a program writes data outside the boundaries of allocated memory, potentially corrupting memory and enabling arbitrary code execution. In this case, an unauthenticated attacker can craft a malicious file that, when opened by a user in the vulnerable Photoshop versions, triggers the vulnerability. Successful exploitation allows the attacker to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the current user. However, exploitation requires user interaction, specifically the victim opening a maliciously crafted file in Photoshop. There are no known exploits in the wild reported for this vulnerability, and no official patches or updates are linked in the provided information, though Adobe typically addresses such vulnerabilities in security updates. The vulnerability affects a widely used creative software product, making it a potential vector for targeted attacks or malware delivery through crafted image or font files embedded in Photoshop projects.

For European organizations, the impact of CVE-2021-21067 can be significant, especially for industries heavily reliant on Adobe Photoshop, such as media, advertising, design agencies, publishing houses, and creative departments within enterprises. Exploitation could lead to arbitrary code execution, allowing attackers to compromise confidentiality by accessing sensitive design files and intellectual property, integrity by modifying or corrupting image assets, and availability by potentially disrupting Photoshop usage or broader system stability. Since the code execution occurs with the current user's privileges, the impact depends on the user's access rights; if the user has elevated privileges, the risk escalates. The requirement for user interaction limits mass exploitation but does not eliminate targeted spear-phishing or social engineering attacks that could trick users into opening malicious files. Additionally, compromised Photoshop installations could serve as a foothold for lateral movement within corporate networks. Given the prevalence of Adobe Photoshop in European creative sectors and enterprises, this vulnerability poses a moderate risk that could be leveraged in targeted attacks against high-value organizations.

Beyond generic advice such as applying patches, organizations should implement the following specific measures: 1) Enforce strict file handling policies in Photoshop, including disabling the automatic opening of files from untrusted sources and educating users to verify file origins before opening. 2) Utilize application whitelisting and sandboxing techniques to restrict Photoshop's ability to execute or write outside its expected environment, limiting the impact of potential exploitation. 3) Deploy endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions with behavioral analytics tuned to detect anomalous activities related to Photoshop processes, such as unexpected memory writes or code injection attempts. 4) Regularly audit and restrict user privileges, ensuring that Photoshop users operate with the least privilege necessary to reduce the potential damage from code execution. 5) Implement network segmentation to isolate systems used for creative work from critical infrastructure, limiting lateral movement opportunities. 6) Monitor threat intelligence feeds for any emerging exploit code or attack campaigns targeting this vulnerability and prepare incident response plans accordingly. 7) Encourage users to update to the latest Adobe Photoshop versions as soon as official patches become available, and maintain an inventory of software versions in use to identify vulnerable endpoints.