CVE-2021-42524 is an out-of-bounds write vulnerability (CWE-787) found in Adobe Animate version 21.0.9 and earlier. This vulnerability arises when the software improperly handles certain BMP image files, leading to a memory corruption condition where data is written outside the intended buffer boundaries. Such memory corruption can be leveraged by an attacker to execute arbitrary code within the security context of the current user. Exploitation requires user interaction, specifically the victim opening a maliciously crafted BMP file, which triggers the vulnerability. The attack vector is therefore limited to scenarios where an attacker can convince or trick a user into opening a malicious file, such as via phishing emails, malicious downloads, or compromised websites. 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 affects Adobe Animate, a multimedia authoring and computer animation program widely used by creative professionals for producing interactive animations and multimedia content. Given the nature of the vulnerability, successful exploitation could allow attackers to gain the same privileges as the user running Adobe Animate, potentially leading to unauthorized code execution, data manipulation, or further system compromise.

For European organizations, the impact of CVE-2021-42524 depends largely on the extent of Adobe Animate usage within their environments. Organizations involved in digital media, advertising, education, and entertainment sectors are more likely to use Adobe Animate and thus face higher risk. Exploitation could lead to arbitrary code execution, enabling attackers to install malware, steal sensitive information, or move laterally within networks. Since the vulnerability requires user interaction, social engineering campaigns targeting European users could be effective. The confidentiality, integrity, and availability of affected systems could be compromised, especially if the user has elevated privileges. Additionally, organizations with strict data protection regulations such as GDPR could face compliance risks if breaches occur due to this vulnerability. However, the absence of known exploits in the wild and the medium severity rating suggest the immediate threat level is moderate but should not be underestimated, especially in high-value targets or environments where Adobe Animate is widely deployed.

1. Immediate mitigation should include educating users about the risks of opening unsolicited or suspicious BMP files, especially those received via email or downloaded from untrusted sources. 2. Implement strict email filtering and attachment scanning to block or quarantine BMP files or other potentially malicious attachments. 3. Restrict Adobe Animate usage to trusted users and environments, and consider limiting user privileges to reduce the impact of potential exploitation. 4. Monitor for unusual behavior or crashes in Adobe Animate that could indicate exploitation attempts. 5. Since no patch links are provided, organizations should regularly check Adobe’s official security advisories and update Adobe Animate to the latest version once a patch is released. 6. Employ application whitelisting and endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions to detect and prevent execution of unauthorized code. 7. Network segmentation can limit lateral movement if exploitation occurs. 8. Backup critical data regularly to enable recovery in case of compromise.