CVE-2021-40775 is a memory corruption vulnerability identified in Adobe Prelude version 10.1 and earlier. The flaw arises from insecure handling of malicious SVG (Scalable Vector Graphics) files, specifically due to an 'Access of Memory Location After End of Buffer' (CWE-788). This type of vulnerability occurs when the software reads or writes memory beyond the allocated buffer boundaries, potentially leading to memory corruption. In this case, when a user opens a specially crafted SVG file within Adobe Prelude, the application may access memory outside the intended buffer, which can corrupt memory structures and lead to arbitrary code execution. The execution context is limited to the privileges of the current user running Adobe Prelude, meaning that an attacker could execute code with the same permissions as the victim. Exploitation requires user interaction, specifically opening a malicious SVG file, which reduces the likelihood of automated or remote exploitation without user involvement. No known public exploits have been reported in the wild, and no official patches or updates have been linked in the provided information. The vulnerability was reserved in early September 2021 and publicly disclosed in November 2021. Adobe Prelude is a video logging and ingest tool primarily used in media production workflows, which processes various multimedia file formats including SVG files embedded in metadata or project files. The vulnerability's root cause is a classic buffer over-read or over-write, which is a common source of memory corruption bugs that can be leveraged for code execution or denial of service.

For European organizations, the impact of this vulnerability depends largely on the adoption of Adobe Prelude within their media production or broadcasting environments. Organizations involved in video editing, media content creation, and broadcasting could be at risk if they use vulnerable versions of Adobe Prelude. Successful exploitation could allow attackers to execute arbitrary code, potentially leading to unauthorized access, data theft, or disruption of media workflows. Since the execution context is limited to the current user, the impact on system-wide integrity or availability is somewhat constrained, but lateral movement or privilege escalation could be possible if combined with other vulnerabilities. The requirement for user interaction (opening a malicious SVG file) means that social engineering or phishing campaigns targeting media professionals could be a vector. Given that no known exploits are currently active in the wild, the immediate risk is moderate; however, the potential for future exploitation exists, especially if threat actors develop weaponized payloads. The vulnerability could also be leveraged to deliver secondary payloads such as ransomware or spyware, which are significant concerns for European enterprises. Additionally, disruption in media production pipelines could have reputational and operational impacts, particularly for broadcasters and content providers.

European organizations using Adobe Prelude should take the following specific steps: 1) Inventory and identify all systems running Adobe Prelude, focusing on versions 10.1 and earlier. 2) Since no official patches are linked, monitor Adobe security advisories closely for updates or patches addressing CVE-2021-40775 and apply them promptly once available. 3) Implement strict file handling policies to restrict opening SVG files from untrusted or unknown sources within Adobe Prelude projects. 4) Educate media production staff on the risks of opening unsolicited or suspicious SVG files, emphasizing the need for caution with files received via email or external sources. 5) Employ endpoint protection solutions capable of detecting anomalous behavior related to memory corruption or code execution attempts within Adobe Prelude processes. 6) Use application whitelisting and sandboxing techniques where feasible to limit the impact of potential exploitation. 7) Regularly back up critical media project files and related data to enable recovery in case of compromise. 8) Consider network segmentation to isolate media production environments from broader corporate networks to reduce lateral movement opportunities. 9) Conduct targeted threat hunting and monitoring for indicators of compromise related to Adobe Prelude exploitation attempts, even though none are currently known.