CVE-2021-28614 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, allowing an attacker to read memory beyond the intended buffer boundaries. Such an out-of-bounds read can lead to the disclosure of sensitive memory information, which might include data that could aid further exploitation or reveal confidential information. Additionally, the vulnerability can cause a denial of service (DoS) by crashing the application, impacting availability in the context of the current user. Exploitation requires user interaction, specifically the victim opening a maliciously crafted file, and does not require authentication. There are no known exploits in the wild, and no patches have been explicitly linked in the provided data, though Adobe typically addresses such vulnerabilities in security updates. The vulnerability affects a widely used creative software product, Adobe After Effects, which is prevalent in media production and creative industries.

For European organizations, the impact of this vulnerability can be significant, especially for those in media, advertising, film production, and digital content creation sectors where Adobe After Effects is commonly used. The disclosure of sensitive memory information could potentially expose confidential project data, intellectual property, or user credentials stored in memory, leading to further targeted attacks or data breaches. The denial of service aspect could disrupt workflows, causing productivity losses and potential delays in project delivery. While the vulnerability does not allow direct remote code execution, the information disclosure could be leveraged in multi-stage attacks. Organizations with high reliance on Adobe After Effects for critical operations may face operational risks and reputational damage if exploited. The requirement for user interaction limits the attack vector to social engineering or phishing campaigns delivering malicious files, which remain common attack methods.

To mitigate this vulnerability effectively, European organizations should: 1) Ensure all Adobe After Effects installations are updated to the latest version beyond 18.2 where the vulnerability is fixed; if no patch is available, consider applying vendor-recommended workarounds or disabling file types that are not essential. 2) Implement strict email and file filtering policies to detect and block potentially malicious After Effects project files or related file formats. 3) Educate users, especially creative teams, about the risks of opening files from untrusted sources and encourage verification of file origins. 4) Employ endpoint protection solutions capable of detecting anomalous application crashes or memory access violations related to After Effects. 5) Use application whitelisting and sandboxing techniques to limit the impact of any potential exploitation. 6) Monitor logs and system behavior for signs of exploitation attempts, particularly unusual crashes or memory access errors in After Effects processes. 7) Maintain regular backups of critical project files to minimize disruption from denial of service incidents.