CVE-2021-36071 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

Adobe Bridge versions 11.1 (and earlier) are affected by an out-of-bounds read vulnerability that could lead to disclosure of arbitrary memory. An attacker could leverage this vulnerability to bypass mitigations such as ASLR. Exploitation of this issue requires user interaction in that a victim must open a malicious file.

Understanding CVE-2021-36071

This vulnerability in Adobe Bridge poses a risk of information disclosure due to improper handling of PNG files.

What is CVE-2021-36071?

CVE-2021-36071 is an out-of-bounds read vulnerability affecting Adobe Bridge versions 11.1 and earlier. It enables attackers to access sensitive data by exploiting memory disclosure.

The Impact of CVE-2021-36071

With a CVSS base score of 3.3 (Low), this vulnerability has a medium severity rating. Although it requires user interaction, successful exploitation could lead to information exposure.

Technical Details of CVE-2021-36071

This section covers the technical aspects of the vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability involves a flaw in PNG file parsing in Adobe Bridge, potentially leading to out-of-bounds read allowing unauthorized memory access.

Affected Systems and Versions

Adobe Bridge versions 11.1 (and earlier) are affected by this vulnerability, which could potentially impact systems that process malicious PNG files.

Exploitation Mechanism

An attacker can exploit this vulnerability by tricking a user into opening a specially crafted PNG file, leading to the disclosure of sensitive data.

Mitigation and Prevention

Protecting systems from CVE-2021-36071 requires immediate action and long-term security practices.

Immediate Steps to Take

Users should refrain from opening untrusted PNG files and apply relevant security updates provided by Adobe to mitigate this vulnerability.

Long-Term Security Practices

Implementing robust security measures, such as user awareness training and file validation checks, can enhance the overall security posture.

Patching and Updates

Regularly updating Adobe Bridge to the latest secure versions is crucial in preventing exploitation of known vulnerabilities.