CVE-2021-40765 : What You Need to Know

Adobe Character Animator version 4.4 (and earlier) is affected by a memory corruption vulnerability when parsing a M4A file, potentially resulting in arbitrary code execution in the context of the current user. This CVE record was published on October 26, 2021.

Understanding CVE-2021-40765

CVE-2021-40765 is a memory corruption vulnerability in Adobe Character Animator that requires user interaction to be exploited.

What is CVE-2021-40765?

The vulnerability in Adobe Character Animator allows malicious actors to execute arbitrary code by exploiting a memory corruption issue triggered during the parsing of a M4A file.

The Impact of CVE-2021-40765

The impact of this vulnerability is classified as high severity with a CVSS base score of 7.8. The availability, confidentiality, and integrity of the system are at risk, and user interaction is required for successful exploitation.

Technical Details of CVE-2021-40765

Adobe Character Animator version 4.4 and earlier are susceptible to memory corruption, potentially leading to arbitrary code execution.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability involves a memory corruption issue during the parsing of M4A files, posing a risk of arbitrary code execution within the user's context.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: Adobe Character Animator (Preview 4)
Vendor: Adobe
Versions Affected: 4.4 and earlier

Exploitation Mechanism

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

Mitigation and Prevention

Immediate actions and long-term security practices can help mitigate the risks posed by CVE-2021-40765.

Immediate Steps to Take

Update Adobe Character Animator to the latest version.
Avoid opening or interacting with suspicious M4A files.
Educate users about the risk of malicious files and the importance of software updates.

Long-Term Security Practices

Implement regular software updates and patch management protocols.
Conduct security awareness training to recognize and report suspicious activities.

Patching and Updates

Ensure timely application of security patches and updates provided by Adobe to address the memory corruption vulnerability in Character Animator.