CVE-2021-28576 is an out-of-bounds read vulnerability (CWE-125) affecting Adobe Animate version 21.0.5 and earlier. This vulnerability arises when Adobe Animate parses a specially crafted file, leading to the application reading memory outside the intended buffer boundaries. Such out-of-bounds reads can result in the disclosure of sensitive information residing in adjacent memory areas. The vulnerability can be exploited by an unauthenticated attacker; however, exploitation requires user interaction, specifically the victim opening a maliciously crafted Animate file. Since the vulnerability involves reading memory beyond allocated bounds, it primarily impacts confidentiality by potentially leaking sensitive data within the context of the current user. There is no indication that this vulnerability allows code execution or privilege escalation. No known exploits have been reported in the wild, and Adobe has not published an official patch link in the provided data. The vulnerability was reserved in March 2021 and publicly disclosed in June 2021. Given that Adobe Animate is a multimedia authoring tool used for creating animations and interactive content, the attack vector involves social engineering or delivery of malicious files through email, downloads, or shared media. The vulnerability does not require authentication but does require user interaction, limiting the attack surface to users who open untrusted Animate files.

For European organizations, the primary impact of CVE-2021-28576 is the potential leakage of sensitive information within the user context, which could include credentials, personal data, or proprietary information loaded in memory by Adobe Animate. Organizations involved in media production, advertising, education, and digital content creation that utilize Adobe Animate are at higher risk. The confidentiality breach could lead to further targeted attacks or data exposure. Since the vulnerability does not allow code execution or system compromise, the impact on system integrity and availability is limited. However, the risk of information disclosure can have regulatory implications under GDPR if personal data is exposed. Additionally, organizations with lax user awareness or insufficient controls on file handling are more vulnerable to exploitation via crafted files. The absence of known exploits reduces immediate risk but does not eliminate the threat, especially as attackers may develop exploits over time.

1. Update Adobe Animate to the latest version beyond 21.0.5 where this vulnerability is patched. If an official patch is unavailable, consider disabling or restricting the use of Adobe Animate until a fix is applied. 2. Implement strict email and file filtering to block or quarantine suspicious Animate files (.fla, .xfl) from untrusted sources. 3. Educate users on the risks of opening files from unknown or untrusted origins, emphasizing the importance of verifying file sources before opening. 4. Employ application whitelisting and sandboxing techniques to limit the impact of potentially malicious files opened in Adobe Animate. 5. Monitor systems for unusual memory access patterns or application crashes related to Adobe Animate, which could indicate exploitation attempts. 6. Enforce the principle of least privilege for users running Adobe Animate to minimize data exposure if exploitation occurs. 7. Regularly review and audit installed software versions across the organization to ensure timely patching of vulnerabilities.