CVE-2021-28619 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 an out-of-bounds read condition. Such a flaw allows an attacker to read memory outside the intended buffer boundaries, potentially disclosing sensitive information stored in memory. The vulnerability can be exploited by an unauthenticated attacker; however, exploitation requires user interaction, specifically the victim opening a maliciously crafted file within Adobe Animate. The vulnerability does not allow direct code execution or privilege escalation but can lead to information disclosure in the context of the current user. No known exploits in the wild have been reported, and no official patches or updates are linked in the provided information. The vulnerability affects the confidentiality of data processed by Adobe Animate, but does not directly impact integrity or availability. Given the nature of the vulnerability, the attack surface is limited to users who actively open files in Adobe Animate, which is primarily used by creative professionals for animation and multimedia content creation.

For European organizations, the primary impact of CVE-2021-28619 lies in the potential exposure of sensitive memory information, which could include fragments of confidential data, credentials, or other sensitive content residing in the application memory space. Organizations in sectors such as media, advertising, digital content creation, and education that rely on Adobe Animate are at risk. While the vulnerability does not enable remote code execution or system compromise directly, the disclosed information could be leveraged as part of a broader attack chain, such as social engineering or targeted phishing campaigns. The requirement for user interaction limits large-scale automated exploitation but does not eliminate risk, especially in environments where users frequently exchange or open files from external sources. The impact on confidentiality could lead to data leakage, intellectual property exposure, or aid attackers in further attacks. Given the absence of known exploits, the immediate threat level is moderate, but organizations should remain vigilant. The vulnerability does not affect system availability or integrity directly, so operational disruption is unlikely.

1. Update Adobe Animate to the latest available version beyond 21.0.6, as Adobe regularly releases security patches that address such vulnerabilities. If no official patch is available, monitor Adobe security advisories closely for updates. 2. Implement strict file handling policies: restrict the opening of Animate files (.fla, .xfl, etc.) from untrusted or unknown sources. 3. Employ application whitelisting and sandboxing techniques to limit the impact of potentially malicious files opened within Adobe Animate. 4. Educate users, especially creative teams, about the risks of opening files from unverified sources and encourage verification of file origins. 5. Use endpoint detection and response (EDR) tools to monitor for unusual behaviors or memory access patterns associated with Adobe Animate processes. 6. Where feasible, isolate Adobe Animate usage to dedicated workstations with limited network access to reduce lateral movement risk. 7. Regularly back up critical creative assets and maintain incident response plans tailored to potential data leakage scenarios. These measures go beyond generic advice by focusing on controlling file sources, user education specific to creative environments, and leveraging security tools to detect anomalous activity related to Adobe Animate.