CVE-2021-28600 is an out-of-bounds read vulnerability (CWE-125) affecting Adobe After Effects version 18.2 and earlier. This vulnerability arises when the software 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 memory contents, potentially exposing confidential information held in the process memory space of the current user. The vulnerability does not require authentication, meaning any attacker can exploit it without prior access credentials. However, exploitation requires user interaction, specifically the victim must open a maliciously crafted After Effects project or file. There are no known exploits in the wild reported, and no official patches or updates have been linked in the provided data. The vulnerability primarily impacts confidentiality, as it allows information disclosure, but does not directly affect integrity or availability. The attack vector is local in the sense that the user must actively open the malicious file, which limits the scope of exploitation to social engineering or targeted delivery methods. Given the nature of After Effects as a professional multimedia and visual effects software, the vulnerability could be leveraged to extract sensitive project data or intellectual property from memory, which could be valuable in competitive or espionage contexts.

For European organizations, especially those in media production, advertising, film, and digital content creation sectors, this vulnerability poses a risk of sensitive information leakage. Intellectual property, proprietary project details, or confidential client data stored in memory during After Effects usage could be exposed. While the vulnerability does not allow remote code execution or system compromise, the confidentiality breach could lead to reputational damage, loss of competitive advantage, or regulatory compliance issues under GDPR if personal data is inadvertently disclosed. The requirement for user interaction reduces the risk of widespread automated exploitation but increases the risk of targeted attacks via spear-phishing or malicious file sharing. Organizations with workflows involving frequent file exchanges or collaboration using After Effects are particularly at risk. Additionally, the lack of an official patch at the time of this report means that affected organizations must rely on mitigation strategies until an update is available.

1. Implement strict file handling policies: Educate users to only open After Effects files from trusted sources and verify the authenticity of received project files before opening. 2. Use sandboxing or isolated environments: Run After Effects in a controlled environment or virtual machine where possible to limit the impact of potential memory disclosure. 3. Employ endpoint detection and response (EDR) tools: Monitor for unusual file access patterns or suspicious activity related to After Effects processes. 4. Network segmentation: Limit the ability of compromised hosts to communicate with sensitive network segments to contain any potential lateral movement. 5. Maintain up-to-date backups and incident response plans focused on social engineering and file-based attacks. 6. Monitor Adobe security advisories closely and apply patches immediately upon release. 7. Consider disabling or restricting the use of After Effects on systems handling highly sensitive data until the vulnerability is remediated. 8. Use data loss prevention (DLP) solutions to detect and prevent unauthorized exfiltration of sensitive information that could result from memory disclosure.