CVE-2026-21320 is a Use After Free (CWE-416) vulnerability identified in Adobe After Effects versions 25.6 and earlier. The flaw arises when the software improperly manages memory, leading to a condition where previously freed memory is accessed, potentially allowing an attacker to execute arbitrary code. The vulnerability is triggered when a user opens a maliciously crafted After Effects project or file, which exploits the memory mismanagement to overwrite or manipulate memory contents. This can result in execution of attacker-controlled code within the context of the current user, thereby compromising confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the affected system. The CVSS 3.1 base score of 7.8 indicates a high severity, with attack vector local (requiring user interaction), low attack complexity, no privileges required, and user interaction necessary. The vulnerability does not require prior authentication, increasing its risk profile. Although no public exploits have been reported yet, the nature of the vulnerability and the widespread use of Adobe After Effects in media production environments make it a significant threat. The lack of an official patch at the time of reporting necessitates immediate risk mitigation through alternative controls.

For European organizations, especially those in media, advertising, film production, and digital content creation, this vulnerability poses a significant risk. Successful exploitation could lead to arbitrary code execution, enabling attackers to steal sensitive data, manipulate digital assets, disrupt workflows, or deploy malware such as ransomware. The compromise of creative workstations could also lead to intellectual property theft or sabotage of ongoing projects. Given the high usage of Adobe After Effects in European creative industries, the impact could be widespread, affecting both large enterprises and smaller studios. The requirement for user interaction limits mass exploitation but targeted attacks against high-value individuals or organizations remain a concern. Additionally, compromised systems could serve as footholds for broader network intrusion, threatening organizational IT infrastructure.

Organizations should implement the following specific mitigations: 1) Monitor Adobe’s official channels for patches and apply them immediately upon release. 2) Restrict the opening of After Effects project files to trusted sources only, employing email filtering and endpoint security solutions to detect and block malicious files. 3) Use application whitelisting and sandboxing techniques to limit the execution context of After Effects, reducing the impact of potential exploitation. 4) Educate users on the risks of opening files from untrusted or unknown sources, emphasizing cautious handling of project files. 5) Employ endpoint detection and response (EDR) tools to identify suspicious behaviors indicative of exploitation attempts. 6) Regularly back up critical project files and maintain robust incident response plans tailored to creative environments. 7) Consider network segmentation to isolate creative workstations from sensitive backend systems to limit lateral movement in case of compromise.