CVE-2021-40701 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

Adobe Premiere Elements version 2021.2235820 (and earlier) is affected by a memory corruption vulnerability due to insecure handling of a malicious m4a file, potentially resulting in arbitrary code execution in the context of the current user. User interaction is required to exploit this vulnerability.

Understanding CVE-2021-40701

Adobe Premiere Elements m4a Memory Corruption Vulnerability Could Lead to Arbitrary Code Execution

What is CVE-2021-40701?

Adobe Premiere Elements version 2021.2235820 (and earlier) is vulnerable to memory corruption via a malicious m4a file.
The vulnerability could allow an attacker to execute arbitrary code on the affected system.
User interaction is necessary to trigger this vulnerability.

The Impact of CVE-2021-40701

CVSS Base Score: 7.8 (High)
Severity: High
Attack Vector: Local
Attack Complexity: Low
Privileges Required: None
User Interaction: Required
Confidentiality, Integrity, and Availability Impact: High

Technical Details of CVE-2021-40701

Adobe Premiere Elements m4a Memory Corruption Vulnerability

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability arises from insecure handling of m4a files, leading to memory corruption.

Affected Systems and Versions

Affected Product: Adobe Premiere Elements
Vendor: Adobe
Affected Versions:
Premiere version 2021.2235820 (and earlier)

Exploitation Mechanism

To exploit this vulnerability, an attacker needs to entice a user to interact with a malicious m4a file, triggering the memory corruption.

Mitigation and Prevention

Immediate Steps to Take:

Update Adobe Premiere Elements to the latest patched version.
Avoid interacting with untrusted or suspicious m4a files.

Long-Term Security Practices:

Regularly update software to address security vulnerabilities.
Educate users about the risks associated with opening files from unknown sources.

Patching and Updates:

Apply security patches promptly to mitigate the risk of exploitation.