CVE-2021-21072 is an out-of-bounds read vulnerability (CWE-125) affecting Adobe Animate versions 21.0.3 and earlier. This vulnerability arises when Adobe Animate improperly handles memory bounds during the processing of certain data structures, leading to the potential for reading memory outside the intended buffer. An unauthenticated attacker can exploit this flaw by crafting a malicious Animate file that, when opened by a victim, triggers the out-of-bounds read. This can result in the disclosure of sensitive information within the memory space of the Adobe Animate process running under the current user's context. Exploitation requires user interaction, specifically the victim opening a malicious file, which limits the attack vector to targeted or socially engineered attacks. There are no known exploits in the wild reported for this vulnerability as of the published date. The vulnerability does not allow for code execution or privilege escalation directly but can leak sensitive data, potentially aiding further attacks. Adobe has not provided a patch link in the provided data, indicating that remediation may require updating to a later version or applying vendor advisories. The vulnerability is classified as medium severity, reflecting the limited impact and exploitation requirements.

For European organizations, the primary impact of CVE-2021-21072 is the potential leakage of sensitive information from the memory of systems running vulnerable versions of Adobe Animate. This could include intellectual property, user credentials, or other confidential data loaded into the application memory. Organizations in creative industries, digital media, advertising, and education that rely heavily on Adobe Animate for content creation are at higher risk. The need for user interaction (opening a malicious file) means that phishing or social engineering campaigns could be a vector, potentially targeting employees with access to sensitive projects. While the vulnerability does not directly compromise system integrity or availability, the information disclosure could facilitate subsequent attacks such as credential theft or targeted espionage. Given the widespread use of Adobe products in Europe, especially in countries with strong digital media sectors, the risk is non-negligible. However, the absence of known exploits and the medium severity rating suggest that the immediate threat level is moderate, but organizations should not ignore the vulnerability due to its potential to aid more severe attacks.

1. Update Adobe Animate to the latest available version beyond 21.0.3 where this vulnerability is addressed, as vendor patches or updates are the most effective mitigation. 2. Implement strict email and file filtering controls to detect and block suspicious or unsolicited Animate files (.fla, .xfl) from untrusted sources. 3. Educate users, especially those in creative roles, on the risks of opening files from unknown or untrusted senders to reduce the likelihood of successful social engineering. 4. Employ application whitelisting or sandboxing techniques to restrict Adobe Animate's ability to access sensitive system resources or network communications, limiting the impact of any potential exploitation. 5. Monitor systems for unusual behavior or memory access patterns that could indicate exploitation attempts, using endpoint detection and response (EDR) tools. 6. Conduct regular security awareness training focused on recognizing phishing and malicious file delivery methods tailored to creative teams. 7. Maintain an inventory of Adobe Animate installations and versions across the organization to prioritize patching and risk assessment.