CVE-2021-42720 is an out-of-bounds read vulnerability (CWE-125) found in Adobe Bridge versions 11.1.1 and earlier. The vulnerability arises when Adobe Bridge parses a specially crafted file, leading to a read operation beyond the allocated memory bounds. This memory corruption flaw can potentially be leveraged by an attacker to execute arbitrary code within the security context of the current user. Exploitation requires user interaction, specifically that the victim opens a maliciously crafted file using Adobe Bridge. The vulnerability does not appear to have been exploited in the wild to date, and no official patches or updates have been linked in the provided information. The flaw is significant because out-of-bounds reads can lead to information disclosure or, when combined with other vulnerabilities or techniques, arbitrary code execution. Given that Adobe Bridge is a digital asset management application widely used by creative professionals to organize and preview multimedia files, the attack vector involves social engineering or delivery of malicious files through email, file sharing, or compromised websites. The vulnerability affects confidentiality and integrity by enabling code execution, and potentially availability if exploited to crash the application or system. However, exploitation complexity is increased by the need for user interaction and the requirement to open a malicious file. The vulnerability is categorized as medium severity by the vendor, reflecting these factors.

For European organizations, the impact of CVE-2021-42720 depends largely on the extent of Adobe Bridge usage within their creative, marketing, or media departments. Organizations involved in media production, advertising, publishing, and design are more likely to use Adobe Bridge extensively. Successful exploitation could lead to unauthorized code execution, enabling attackers to escalate privileges, move laterally within networks, or exfiltrate sensitive intellectual property and personal data. This could result in data breaches, intellectual property theft, and operational disruption. Given the user interaction requirement, phishing or targeted social engineering campaigns could be used to deliver malicious files. The impact on confidentiality is significant if sensitive media assets or client data are accessed or stolen. Integrity could be compromised if attackers modify digital assets or metadata. Availability impacts are less likely but possible if the exploit causes application crashes or system instability. The absence of known exploits in the wild reduces immediate risk, but organizations should remain vigilant due to the potential for future exploitation. European organizations with strict data protection regulations (e.g., GDPR) may face compliance risks if breaches occur due to this vulnerability.

1. Apply official Adobe patches or updates as soon as they become available to address this vulnerability. 2. Until patches are released, implement strict file handling policies: restrict opening files from untrusted or unknown sources in Adobe Bridge. 3. Employ endpoint protection solutions capable of detecting anomalous behaviors or exploitation attempts related to Adobe Bridge. 4. Conduct user awareness training focused on the risks of opening unsolicited or suspicious files, emphasizing the importance of verifying file sources. 5. Use application whitelisting or sandboxing techniques to limit the execution context of Adobe Bridge and reduce the impact of potential exploits. 6. Monitor network and endpoint logs for unusual activity that may indicate exploitation attempts, such as unexpected process launches or memory access violations. 7. Consider disabling Adobe Bridge on systems where it is not essential, or replacing it with alternative software with a smaller attack surface. 8. Implement strict email filtering and attachment scanning to reduce the likelihood of malicious files reaching end users. These measures go beyond generic advice by focusing on operational controls tailored to the Adobe Bridge environment and user behavior.