CVE-2021-28618 is an out-of-bounds read vulnerability (CWE-125) affecting Adobe Animate version 21.0.6 and earlier. This vulnerability arises when Adobe Animate parses a specially crafted file, leading to the application reading memory outside the bounds of allocated buffers. Such an out-of-bounds read can cause disclosure of sensitive memory contents within the context of the current user. The vulnerability does not require authentication, meaning any attacker can exploit it without prior access, but it does require user interaction since the victim must open a maliciously crafted file. The flaw is rooted in improper input validation during file parsing, which allows an attacker to craft files that trigger the out-of-bounds read condition. While no known exploits have been reported in the wild, the vulnerability could be leveraged to leak sensitive information such as memory contents that might include cryptographic keys, passwords, or other confidential data residing in memory. Adobe Animate is a multimedia authoring and computer animation program widely used by creative professionals and organizations for producing interactive content. The vulnerability's impact is limited to information disclosure and does not directly allow code execution or privilege escalation. However, leaked information could be used as a stepping stone for further attacks. No official patches or updates are linked in the provided data, so users may remain exposed if they do not update to a fixed version once available. The vulnerability was reserved in March 2021 and publicly disclosed in August 2021, indicating Adobe's awareness and likely remediation efforts around that time.

For European organizations, the primary impact of CVE-2021-28618 is the potential leakage of sensitive information from systems running vulnerable versions of Adobe Animate. Creative agencies, media companies, advertising firms, and educational institutions that use Adobe Animate extensively are at risk. Disclosure of memory contents could expose intellectual property, proprietary project data, or user credentials stored in memory. Although the vulnerability does not allow direct system compromise, the leaked information could facilitate targeted phishing, social engineering, or subsequent exploitation of other vulnerabilities. The requirement for user interaction (opening a malicious file) means that social engineering or phishing campaigns are likely attack vectors. European organizations with remote or hybrid workforces may be more vulnerable if users open untrusted files received via email or collaboration platforms. The medium severity rating reflects the limited scope of impact (information disclosure only) and the need for user interaction, but the risk remains significant for organizations handling sensitive creative content or confidential data. Additionally, the lack of known exploits in the wild reduces immediate risk but does not eliminate the threat, especially if attackers develop proof-of-concept exploits.

1. Update Adobe Animate to the latest available version that addresses CVE-2021-28618 as soon as Adobe releases a patch. Regularly monitor Adobe security advisories for updates. 2. Implement strict email and file attachment filtering to block or quarantine files with extensions associated with Adobe Animate projects or files from untrusted sources. 3. Educate users, especially creative teams, about the risks of opening files from unknown or untrusted origins and encourage verification of file sources before opening. 4. Employ endpoint security solutions capable of detecting anomalous behavior or memory access patterns that could indicate exploitation attempts. 5. Use application whitelisting to restrict execution of unauthorized applications and scripts that could deliver malicious files. 6. Segment networks to isolate systems used for creative content development from critical infrastructure to limit lateral movement if exploitation occurs. 7. Conduct regular security awareness training focusing on social engineering and phishing tactics that could be used to deliver malicious files. 8. Monitor logs and network traffic for unusual activity related to Adobe Animate processes or unexpected file openings. These targeted mitigations go beyond generic advice by focusing on user behavior, file handling policies, and network segmentation specific to the threat vector.