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CVE-2021-28602: Out-of-bounds Write (CWE-787) in Adobe After Effects

Medium
Published: Tue Aug 24 2021 (08/24/2021, 17:57:50 UTC)
Source: CVE
Vendor/Project: Adobe
Product: After Effects

Description

Adobe After Effects version 18.2 (and earlier) is affected by a memory corruption vulnerability when parsing a specially crafted file. An unauthenticated attacker could leverage this vulnerability to achieve arbitrary code execution in the context of the current user. Exploitation of this issue requires user interaction in that a victim must open a malicious file.

AI-Powered Analysis

AILast updated: 06/23/2025, 23:55:00 UTC

Technical Analysis

CVE-2021-28602 is a memory corruption vulnerability classified as an out-of-bounds write (CWE-787) affecting Adobe After Effects version 18.2 and earlier. The vulnerability arises during the parsing of specially crafted files, where the application incorrectly handles memory boundaries, leading to corruption. This flaw can be exploited by an unauthenticated attacker who crafts a malicious After Effects project or media file that, when opened by a victim, triggers arbitrary code execution within the context of the current user. Exploitation requires user interaction, specifically the victim opening the malicious file, which limits the attack vector to social engineering or targeted delivery methods. The vulnerability does not require prior authentication, increasing its risk profile if a user is tricked into opening a compromised file. There are no known exploits in the wild as of the published date, and no official patches or updates have been linked in the provided information. The vulnerability impacts the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the affected system by potentially allowing execution of arbitrary code, which could lead to data theft, system manipulation, or disruption of services depending on the privileges of the user running After Effects. Since After Effects is a widely used digital visual effects, motion graphics, and compositing application, this vulnerability poses a risk primarily to creative professionals and organizations involved in media production.

Potential Impact

For European organizations, the impact of CVE-2021-28602 can be significant in sectors relying heavily on digital content creation, such as media companies, advertising agencies, film studios, and broadcast services. Successful exploitation could lead to unauthorized access to sensitive creative assets, intellectual property theft, or disruption of production workflows. Given that After Effects runs with user-level privileges, the attacker’s capabilities are limited to the current user context; however, if the compromised user has elevated access or network connectivity to critical systems, the attacker could pivot to broader network compromise. Additionally, the injection of malicious code could facilitate the deployment of further malware or ransomware, which is a notable concern given the increasing ransomware activity targeting European enterprises. The requirement for user interaction reduces the risk of widespread automated exploitation but does not eliminate targeted spear-phishing or social engineering attacks. Organizations with remote or hybrid workforces may face increased risk if users open files received via email or collaboration platforms without adequate security controls.

Mitigation Recommendations

1. Apply the latest Adobe After Effects updates as soon as they become available to address this vulnerability. Monitor Adobe security advisories regularly for patch releases. 2. Implement strict email and file filtering policies to detect and block suspicious or unexpected After Effects project files or media attachments. 3. Educate users, especially creative teams, about the risks of opening files from untrusted or unknown sources and promote verification of file origins before opening. 4. Employ endpoint protection solutions capable of detecting anomalous behavior associated with memory corruption or code execution exploits. 5. Use application whitelisting to restrict execution of unauthorized or untrusted applications and scripts. 6. Isolate systems used for media production from critical business networks to limit lateral movement in case of compromise. 7. Regularly back up creative assets and critical data to enable recovery in the event of a successful attack. 8. Consider deploying sandboxing or virtualized environments for opening untrusted files to contain potential exploitation attempts.

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Technical Details

Data Version
5.1
Assigner Short Name
adobe
Date Reserved
2021-03-16T00:00:00.000Z
Cisa Enriched
true

Threat ID: 682d9841c4522896dcbf1969

Added to database: 5/21/2025, 9:09:21 AM

Last enriched: 6/23/2025, 11:55:00 PM

Last updated: 7/31/2025, 3:42:21 AM

Views: 10

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