CVE-2021-28616 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

Adobe After Effects version 18.2 (and earlier) is affected by an Out-of-bounds Read vulnerability that could allow an unauthenticated attacker to disclose sensitive memory information and lead to a denial of service. This article provides an overview of CVE-2021-28616, its impact, technical details, and mitigation steps.

Understanding CVE-2021-28616

This section will cover the key details of the Adobe After Effects Out-of-bounds Read vulnerability.

What is CVE-2021-28616?

CVE-2021-28616 refers to an Out-of-bounds Read vulnerability in Adobe After Effects version 18.2 and earlier. It occurs when parsing a specially crafted file, allowing an attacker to access sensitive memory information and trigger a denial of service.

The Impact of CVE-2021-28616

The vulnerability has a base score of 6.1, classified as medium severity. It can lead to the disclosure of high confidentiality information without requiring any privileges. The exploitation of this issue necessitates user interaction, where the victim needs to open a malicious file.

Technical Details of CVE-2021-28616

This section will delve into the specifics of the vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

The CVE-2021-28616 vulnerability in Adobe After Effects arises from an Out-of-bounds Read issue during file parsing, potentially resulting in memory exposure and a denial of service.

Affected Systems and Versions

Adobe After Effects versions 18.2 and earlier are impacted by this vulnerability, with potential risks associated with opening malicious files.

Exploitation Mechanism

Successful exploitation of CVE-2021-28616 requires user interaction, where an attacker can leverage a specially crafted file to gain unauthorized access to sensitive data and cause denial of service.

Mitigation and Prevention

Here we discuss the steps to mitigate the risks associated with CVE-2021-28616.

Immediate Steps to Take

Users should refrain from opening files from untrusted sources or unknown origins to reduce the risk of exploitation. Implementing content scanning mechanisms can also help identify malicious files.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly updating Adobe After Effects to the latest version can address known vulnerabilities and enhance the application's security posture. User education on safe file handling practices is also crucial to prevent similar exploits.

Patching and Updates

Adobe has released patches to address CVE-2021-28616. It is recommended to promptly apply these updates to ensure the security of Adobe After Effects.