CVE-2021-40753 : Security Advisory and Response

Adobe After Effects version 18.4.1 and earlier are affected by a memory corruption vulnerability when handling malicious SVG files, potentially leading to arbitrary code execution. This CVE was published on October 26, 2021.

Understanding CVE-2021-40753

Adobe After Effects is susceptible to a memory corruption vulnerability caused by the insecure handling of specific SVG files, which could allow attackers to execute arbitrary code on a victim's machine.

What is CVE-2021-40753?

This CVE identifies a memory corruption flaw in Adobe After Effects versions 18.4.1 and earlier. It stems from the improper processing of malicious SVG files, enabling threat actors to trigger arbitrary code execution.

The Impact of CVE-2021-40753

The severity of this vulnerability is rated as HIGH, with a CVSS base score of 7.8. Several factors contribute to this, including high impacts on confidentiality, integrity, and availability, all without needing user privileges.

Technical Details of CVE-2021-40753

Adobe After Effects CVE-2021-40753 entails the following technical aspects:

Vulnerability Description

Type: Memory corruption via SVG file parsing
Access to Memory Location After Buffer End (CWE-788)

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: Adobe After Effects
Versions affected: <= 18.4.1

Exploitation Mechanism

Attack Vector: Local
Attack Complexity: Low
User Interaction: Required
Privileges Required: None

Mitigation and Prevention

Adobe recommends the following to mitigate the risks associated with CVE-2021-40753:

Immediate Steps to Take

Update Adobe After Effects to version 18.4.2 or later.
Avoid opening untrusted or suspicious SVG files.
Educate users on recognizing and avoiding potentially harmful file attachments.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update software to the latest versions.
Implement secure coding practices to mitigate memory corruption vulnerabilities.
Consider using security tools to scan files for potential threats.

Patching and Updates

Adobe has released a security update to address this vulnerability. Make sure to apply the patch promptly to safeguard systems against this exploit.