CVE-2026-21325 is an out-of-bounds read vulnerability classified under CWE-125 affecting Adobe After Effects versions 25.6 and earlier. The flaw arises during the parsing of crafted project or media files, where the software reads beyond the allocated memory buffer. This memory corruption can be leveraged by attackers to execute arbitrary code within the context of the current user, potentially leading to full system compromise if the user has elevated privileges. Exploitation requires the victim to open a malicious file, making social engineering or targeted phishing likely attack vectors. The vulnerability has a CVSS 3.1 base score of 7.8, reflecting high impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability, with low attack complexity and no privileges required. Although no known exploits are currently in the wild, the widespread use of Adobe After Effects in creative industries makes this a significant threat. The absence of available patches at the time of disclosure necessitates immediate risk mitigation through alternative controls. The vulnerability’s exploitation could allow attackers to steal sensitive project data, disrupt production workflows, or establish persistence within affected environments.

For European organizations, particularly those in media production, advertising, and digital content creation, this vulnerability poses a substantial risk. Successful exploitation could lead to unauthorized access to proprietary creative assets, intellectual property theft, and disruption of critical workflows. Given the collaborative nature of creative projects, compromised systems could serve as entry points for lateral movement within corporate networks, potentially exposing broader organizational infrastructure. The confidentiality breach could damage client trust and violate data protection regulations such as GDPR if personal data is involved. Additionally, the integrity and availability of project files and production environments could be compromised, leading to operational delays and financial losses. The requirement for user interaction limits mass exploitation but does not eliminate targeted attacks, especially spear-phishing campaigns aimed at creative professionals. The lack of current patches increases the window of exposure, emphasizing the need for proactive defense measures.

European organizations should implement several targeted mitigation strategies beyond generic advice. First, enforce strict email and file handling policies to reduce the risk of opening malicious files, including disabling automatic opening of attachments and educating users on phishing risks. Employ application whitelisting and sandboxing techniques for Adobe After Effects to contain potential exploitation. Monitor and restrict the use of After Effects project files received from untrusted sources. Utilize endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions to identify anomalous behaviors indicative of exploitation attempts. Maintain robust backup procedures for creative assets to enable recovery in case of compromise. Coordinate with Adobe for timely patch deployment once available, and consider temporarily limiting After Effects usage on high-risk endpoints until patches are released. Network segmentation can also help contain potential breaches originating from compromised workstations. Finally, conduct targeted awareness training for creative teams emphasizing the risks associated with opening unverified files.