CVE-2021-42719 is an out-of-bounds read vulnerability (CWE-125) found in Adobe Bridge version 11.1.1 and earlier. The vulnerability arises during the parsing of a specially crafted .jpe file, where the software reads beyond the allocated memory bounds. This memory access flaw can lead to the exposure of sensitive data or potentially allow an attacker to execute arbitrary code within the context of the current user. Exploitation requires user interaction, specifically the victim opening a maliciously crafted .jpe file in Adobe Bridge. The vulnerability does not appear to have been exploited in the wild as of the latest information. Adobe Bridge is a digital asset management application widely used by creative professionals to organize, browse, and manage multimedia files. The out-of-bounds read could lead to memory corruption, which attackers might leverage to escalate the impact from information disclosure to remote code execution. However, the attack vector is limited by the need for user action and the context of the current user privileges, which may restrict the scope of damage depending on the user's rights on the system. No official patches or CVSS scores have been published, but the vulnerability has been acknowledged by Adobe and tracked by CISA. The vulnerability affects all versions up to 11.1.1, with no specific subversions detailed. Given the nature of the vulnerability, it primarily threatens confidentiality and integrity, with potential availability impact if exploited to execute code that disrupts normal operations.

For European organizations, the impact of CVE-2021-42719 depends largely on the prevalence of Adobe Bridge usage within their workflows, particularly in sectors relying heavily on digital media management such as advertising, media production, publishing, and design agencies. Successful exploitation could lead to unauthorized code execution, potentially resulting in data theft, insertion of malicious payloads, or lateral movement within corporate networks if the compromised user has elevated privileges. Since exploitation requires user interaction, phishing or social engineering campaigns could be used to deliver the malicious .jpe files. The impact on confidentiality is significant as out-of-bounds reads can leak sensitive memory contents. Integrity may be compromised if attackers execute code to alter files or system configurations. Availability impact is less direct but possible if attackers disrupt services or delete critical assets. Organizations with strict endpoint security and user awareness may mitigate risk, but those with less mature controls or high reliance on Adobe Bridge are more vulnerable. The lack of known exploits in the wild reduces immediate risk but does not eliminate the threat, especially as attackers often develop exploits post-disclosure. The vulnerability's medium severity rating aligns with the need for user interaction and limited privilege context, but the potential for code execution warrants proactive mitigation.

1. Immediate mitigation should focus on restricting the use of Adobe Bridge to trusted users and environments, especially limiting the opening of untrusted or unsolicited .jpe files. 2. Implement strict email and file filtering to block or quarantine suspicious .jpe files, particularly those received from unknown or unverified sources. 3. Employ application whitelisting and sandboxing techniques to contain Adobe Bridge processes, limiting the impact of potential exploitation. 4. Enhance user awareness training to educate users on the risks of opening unexpected image files and recognizing phishing attempts. 5. Monitor endpoint behavior for anomalous activity related to Adobe Bridge, such as unexpected memory access patterns or process spawning. 6. Since no official patch is currently available, consider deploying virtual patching via intrusion prevention systems (IPS) that can detect and block malformed .jpe file parsing attempts. 7. Restrict user privileges to the minimum necessary to reduce the impact scope if exploitation occurs. 8. Maintain up-to-date backups of critical digital assets managed by Adobe Bridge to enable recovery in case of compromise. 9. Regularly review Adobe’s security advisories for updates or patches addressing this vulnerability and apply them promptly once available.