CVE-2021-21075 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 input files, leading to the possibility of reading memory outside the intended buffer. An attacker can exploit this flaw by crafting a malicious Animate file and convincing a victim to open it. Upon opening, the vulnerability allows the attacker to read sensitive information from the memory space of the Adobe Animate process running under the current user's context. This could include potentially sensitive data such as credentials, tokens, or other private information residing in memory. The attack does not require authentication but does require user interaction, specifically the victim opening a malicious file. There are no known public exploits in the wild, and Adobe has not published a patch link in the provided data, though it is likely that updates addressing this issue exist given the publication date in March 2021. The vulnerability is classified as medium severity, reflecting the limited scope of impact and the requirement for user interaction. The out-of-bounds read does not directly allow code execution or privilege escalation but can lead to information disclosure, which could be leveraged in further attacks.

For European organizations, the primary impact of CVE-2021-21075 is the potential leakage of sensitive information from users who utilize Adobe Animate, particularly in creative industries, media companies, advertising agencies, and educational institutions where Adobe Animate is used for multimedia content creation. The information disclosure could expose intellectual property, user credentials, or session tokens, which could be leveraged for lateral movement or further compromise. While the vulnerability does not allow direct remote code execution, the requirement for user interaction means phishing or social engineering campaigns could be used to deliver malicious files. This risk is heightened in organizations with less mature security awareness programs. Additionally, organizations with workflows involving frequent exchange of Animate files may be more exposed. The impact on confidentiality is moderate, while integrity and availability are less affected. Given the medium severity and no known active exploitation, the immediate risk is moderate but should not be underestimated in targeted attacks.

1. Ensure all Adobe Animate installations are updated to the latest available version beyond 21.0.3, as Adobe typically releases patches for such vulnerabilities. 2. Implement strict email and file scanning policies to detect and block malicious Animate files, including sandboxing unknown or suspicious files before allowing user access. 3. Educate users, especially those in creative roles, about the risks of opening files from untrusted sources and encourage verification of file origins. 4. Employ application whitelisting or sandboxing techniques to limit the impact of potentially malicious files opened in Adobe Animate. 5. Monitor network and endpoint logs for unusual activity following the opening of Animate files, such as unexpected memory access patterns or data exfiltration attempts. 6. Consider disabling or restricting Adobe Animate usage in environments where it is not essential, reducing the attack surface. 7. Coordinate with Adobe support channels to confirm patch availability and apply them promptly. 8. Use Data Loss Prevention (DLP) tools to monitor for sensitive data exposure that could result from exploitation.