CVE-2021-40739 : Exploit Details and Defense Strategies

Adobe Audition version 14.4 (and earlier) is affected by a memory corruption vulnerability when parsing a M4A file, potentially leading to arbitrary code execution. This CVE was published on October 26, 2021.

Understanding CVE-2021-40739

Adobe Audition version 14.4 (and earlier) is susceptible to a memory corruption flaw that could allow an attacker to execute arbitrary code in the context of the current user. User interaction is required to exploit this vulnerability.

What is CVE-2021-40739?

CVE ID: CVE-2021-40739
CVSS Base Score: 7.8 (High Severity)
Attack Vector: Local
User Interaction: Required
Vulnerability Type: Memory Corruption
CWE ID: CWE-788 (Access of Memory Location After End of Buffer)
Vendor: Adobe
Affected Product: Audition
Publication Date: October 26, 2021
Reference: Adobe Security Bulletin

The Impact of CVE-2021-40739

The vulnerability can have the following impacts:

Confidentiality, Integrity, and Availability: High
Privileges Required: None
Attack Complexity: Low
Scope: Unchanged

Technical Details of CVE-2021-40739

Adobe Audition memory corruption vulnerability is thoroughly described below.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability in Adobe Audition versions <=14.4 allows attackers to exploit a memory corruption issue during M4A file parsing, potentially leading to arbitrary code execution.

Affected Systems and Versions

Affected Product: Audition
Vendor: Adobe
Vulnerable Versions: <=14.4

Exploitation Mechanism

The vulnerability is triggered by a specially crafted M4A file, requiring user interaction to execute arbitrary code.

Mitigation and Prevention

To secure systems from CVE-2021-40739, follow these mitigation steps:

Immediate Steps to Take

Update Audition to a non-vulnerable version.
Avoid opening untrusted M4A files.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update software to latest versions.
Educate users on safe file handling practices.

Patching and Updates

Adobe may release patches or updates to address the vulnerability. Stay informed through security advisories.