CVE-2021-28575 is an out-of-bounds read vulnerability (CWE-125) affecting Adobe Animate version 21.0.5 and earlier. The vulnerability arises when Adobe Animate parses a specially crafted file, allowing an attacker to read memory outside the intended bounds. This can lead to disclosure of sensitive information within the context of the current user. The vulnerability does not require authentication, but exploitation depends on user interaction, specifically the victim opening a maliciously crafted Animate file. The out-of-bounds read flaw can potentially expose data from memory that may include sensitive application or system information, which could be leveraged for further attacks or information gathering. There are no known exploits in the wild, and no official patches or updates have been linked in the provided information. The vulnerability is classified as medium severity, reflecting the limited impact and the requirement for user interaction. However, the lack of a CVSS score necessitates a more detailed severity assessment based on impact and exploitability factors.

For European organizations, the impact of this vulnerability primarily concerns confidentiality risks. Since the vulnerability allows disclosure of sensitive information in the context of the current user, any data accessible to Adobe Animate during file parsing could be exposed. This includes potentially sensitive project files, credentials stored in memory, or other confidential information. Organizations using Adobe Animate for multimedia content creation, advertising, education, or digital marketing could face data leakage risks. While the vulnerability does not directly affect system integrity or availability, the information disclosed could be used to facilitate further attacks, such as privilege escalation or lateral movement within networks. The requirement for user interaction (opening a malicious file) limits the attack vector to targeted phishing or social engineering campaigns. European organizations with creative departments or agencies relying on Adobe Animate are at risk, especially if security awareness is low or if file validation controls are insufficient. The absence of known exploits reduces immediate risk but does not eliminate the threat, as attackers could develop exploits over time.

1. Implement strict email and file filtering policies to block or quarantine suspicious Animate files, especially from unknown or untrusted sources. 2. Educate users, particularly those in creative roles, about the risks of opening files from unverified origins and encourage verification before opening any Animate files. 3. Employ endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions capable of monitoring anomalous file parsing or memory access behaviors associated with Adobe Animate. 4. Restrict Adobe Animate usage to trusted environments and consider sandboxing or application whitelisting to limit exposure. 5. Regularly review and apply Adobe security advisories and updates; although no patch link is provided, monitoring for official patches is critical. 6. Use network segmentation to isolate systems running Adobe Animate from sensitive network segments to limit potential lateral movement. 7. Conduct periodic security awareness training focused on social engineering and phishing to reduce the likelihood of users opening malicious files. 8. If possible, disable or limit the use of Adobe Animate in environments where it is not essential to reduce attack surface.