CVE-2021-40769 is an out-of-bounds read vulnerability (CWE-125) found in Adobe Character Animator, specifically in version 4.4 and earlier. This vulnerability allows an attacker to read memory outside the bounds of a buffer, potentially disclosing sensitive information stored in adjacent memory regions. The flaw can be exploited by crafting a malicious file that, when opened by a victim using the vulnerable Adobe Character Animator Preview 4 or earlier versions, triggers the out-of-bounds read. This can lead to leakage of sensitive memory contents, which may include data useful for bypassing security mitigations such as Address Space Layout Randomization (ASLR). By undermining ASLR, an attacker could facilitate further exploitation, such as executing arbitrary code or escalating privileges. However, exploitation requires user interaction, specifically the victim opening a maliciously crafted file, which limits the attack vector to targeted or social engineering scenarios. There are no known exploits in the wild reported for this vulnerability, and no official patches or updates have been linked in the provided information. The vulnerability is classified as medium severity, reflecting the potential for information disclosure but limited by the need for user action and the absence of direct code execution.

For European organizations, the primary impact of CVE-2021-40769 lies in the potential disclosure of sensitive information from memory, which could be leveraged to bypass security features like ASLR. This could facilitate more severe attacks if combined with other vulnerabilities. Organizations using Adobe Character Animator, particularly in creative industries such as media production, advertising, and digital content creation, may be at risk. The vulnerability could lead to exposure of proprietary or confidential data processed within the application. While the immediate impact on system availability or integrity is low, the information disclosure could compromise confidentiality and enable subsequent attacks. Given the requirement for user interaction, phishing or social engineering campaigns targeting employees who use Adobe Character Animator could be a vector. The lack of known exploits reduces immediate risk but does not eliminate the threat, especially in environments where Adobe products are widely used and where attackers may develop exploits in the future.

To mitigate this vulnerability, European organizations should: 1) Immediately identify and inventory all installations of Adobe Character Animator, especially version 4.4 and earlier. 2) Restrict or monitor the use of Adobe Character Animator Preview 4 in sensitive environments until a patch is available. 3) Educate users about the risks of opening files from untrusted or unknown sources, emphasizing the importance of verifying file origins before opening. 4) Implement robust email filtering and attachment scanning to reduce the likelihood of malicious files reaching end users. 5) Employ application whitelisting and sandboxing techniques to limit the impact of potential exploitation. 6) Monitor for updates from Adobe and apply patches promptly once released. 7) Consider deploying endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions that can detect anomalous behaviors associated with exploitation attempts. 8) Enforce the principle of least privilege for users running Adobe Character Animator to minimize potential damage from exploitation.