CVE-2021-21073 is an out-of-bounds read vulnerability (CWE-125) found in Adobe Animate version 21.0.3 and earlier. This vulnerability arises when the software improperly handles memory bounds during 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 and convincing a user to open it. Upon opening the malicious file, the vulnerability can be triggered, allowing the attacker to read sensitive information from the memory space of the Adobe Animate process running under the current user's privileges. This could include sensitive application data or other information resident in memory, potentially leading to information disclosure. The attack requires user interaction, specifically the victim opening the malicious file, and does not require prior authentication. There are no known exploits in the wild reported to date, and Adobe has not provided a patch link in the provided data, suggesting that remediation may require updating to a later version or applying vendor advisories. The vulnerability is classified as medium severity by the vendor, reflecting a moderate risk primarily due to the requirement for user interaction and the limited scope of impact to information disclosure rather than code execution or system compromise.

For European organizations, the primary impact of CVE-2021-21073 is the potential leakage of sensitive information from systems running vulnerable versions of Adobe Animate. This could include intellectual property, proprietary animation assets, or other confidential data loaded in memory during the use of the application. While the vulnerability does not allow direct code execution or system takeover, information disclosure can facilitate further targeted attacks such as social engineering, spear phishing, or exploitation of other vulnerabilities. Organizations in creative industries, media production, advertising, and education that rely on Adobe Animate for content creation are particularly at risk. The requirement for user interaction means that the threat vector is primarily through targeted delivery of malicious files, which could be distributed via email, file sharing platforms, or compromised websites. The impact on confidentiality is moderate, while integrity and availability are not directly affected. Given the widespread use of Adobe products in Europe, especially in countries with strong digital media sectors, this vulnerability could be leveraged to gain footholds or gather intelligence for subsequent attacks.

To mitigate the risk posed by CVE-2021-21073, European organizations should implement the following specific measures: 1) Ensure all Adobe Animate installations are updated to the latest available version beyond 21.0.3, as vendors typically release patches addressing such vulnerabilities; 2) Implement strict file handling policies that restrict opening Animate files from untrusted or unknown sources; 3) Deploy advanced email filtering and sandboxing solutions to detect and block malicious attachments or links that could deliver crafted Animate files; 4) Educate users, especially those in creative departments, about the risks of opening unsolicited or suspicious files and encourage verification of file sources; 5) Use endpoint detection and response (EDR) tools to monitor for anomalous memory access patterns or unusual application behavior indicative of exploitation attempts; 6) Apply network segmentation to isolate systems used for content creation from critical infrastructure to limit lateral movement if exploitation occurs; 7) Maintain regular backups of critical data to ensure recovery in case of subsequent attacks leveraging information gained from this vulnerability.