CVE-2021-36011 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

Adobe Illustrator version 25.2.3 and earlier is affected by a Command injection vulnerability, allowing an attacker to execute arbitrary code. This CVE was made public on July 13, 2021.

Understanding CVE-2021-36011

This CVE involves a potential command injection vulnerability in Adobe Illustrator, posing a significant risk of arbitrary code execution.

What is CVE-2021-36011?

Adobe Illustrator version 25.2.3 (and earlier) contains a flaw that enables unauthenticated attackers to trigger a command injection vulnerability by leveraging a development and debugging tool for JavaScript scripts. Successful exploitation can lead to arbitrary code execution in the context of the current user.

The Impact of CVE-2021-36011

The impact of this vulnerability is rated as HIGH, with a base score of 8.3 according to CVSS v3.1 metrics. It requires user interaction where a victim must open a malicious file, making it a serious security concern.

Technical Details of CVE-2021-36011

This section outlines the technical aspects of the CVE, including vulnerability description, affected systems and versions, and the exploitation mechanism.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability involves improper neutralization of special elements used in an OS command, specifically an OS Command Injection (CWE-78).

Affected Systems and Versions

The affected product is Adobe Illustrator, with versions less than or equal to 25.2.3 being vulnerable to this exploit.

Exploitation Mechanism

The exploitation of CVE-2021-36011 requires a attacker to chain it with a development and debugging tool for JavaScript scripts, needing user interaction to open a malicious file.

Mitigation and Prevention

To mitigate and prevent the exploitation of CVE-2021-36011, users and organizations should take immediate steps, implement long-term security practices, and apply necessary patches and updates.

Immediate Steps to Take

Immediately update Adobe Illustrator to a secure version and encourage users to avoid opening suspicious files.

Long-Term Security Practices

Implement network segmentation, least privilege access, and ongoing security training to enhance overall security posture.

Patching and Updates

Regularly monitor for security updates from Adobe and promptly apply patches to ensure protection against known vulnerabilities.