CVE-2026-21323 is a Use After Free (CWE-416) vulnerability identified in Adobe After Effects versions 25.6 and earlier. Use After Free vulnerabilities occur when a program continues to use memory after it has been freed, leading to undefined behavior that attackers can exploit to execute arbitrary code. In this case, the flaw allows an attacker to craft a malicious After Effects file that, when opened by a user, triggers the vulnerability. This results in the execution of arbitrary code within the context of the current user, potentially allowing the attacker to compromise system confidentiality, integrity, and availability. The vulnerability requires user interaction, specifically opening a malicious file, which limits remote exploitation but still poses a significant risk in environments where users handle untrusted files. The CVSS v3.1 score of 7.8 reflects high severity, with attack vector local (AV:L), low attack complexity (AC:L), no privileges required (PR:N), user interaction required (UI:R), unchanged scope (S:U), and high impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability (C:H/I:H/A:H). No patches were listed at the time of publication, and no known exploits have been reported in the wild, but the vulnerability's nature suggests it could be weaponized in targeted attacks against creative professionals or organizations relying on Adobe After Effects for media production.

The impact on European organizations is significant, especially those in creative industries such as film, advertising, and digital media production that rely heavily on Adobe After Effects. Successful exploitation could lead to arbitrary code execution, enabling attackers to steal sensitive intellectual property, manipulate or destroy project files, or establish persistence within compromised systems. This could disrupt production workflows, cause financial losses, and damage reputations. Since the vulnerability requires user interaction, phishing or social engineering campaigns could be used to deliver malicious files. The compromise of creative assets could also have broader implications for media companies and agencies involved in high-profile campaigns or sensitive projects. Additionally, compromised systems could serve as entry points for lateral movement within corporate networks, increasing the risk of broader intrusions.

Organizations should prioritize patching Adobe After Effects as soon as official updates addressing CVE-2026-21323 become available. Until patches are released, restrict the opening of After Effects project files from untrusted or unknown sources. Implement strict email filtering and user awareness training to reduce the risk of social engineering attacks delivering malicious files. Employ endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions with behavior-based detection to identify suspicious activities related to memory corruption exploits. Use application whitelisting to limit execution of unauthorized code. Regularly back up critical project files and maintain version control to enable recovery in case of compromise. Network segmentation can help contain potential breaches originating from compromised workstations. Finally, monitor threat intelligence sources for any emerging exploit code or attack campaigns targeting this vulnerability.