CVE-2021-40786 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

Adobe Premiere Elements 20210809.daily.2242976 (and earlier) is affected by a memory corruption vulnerability due to insecure handling of a malicious file, potentially leading to arbitrary code execution in the current user's context.

Understanding CVE-2021-40786

Adobe Premiere Elements is susceptible to a memory corruption vulnerability that could enable an attacker to execute arbitrary code by manipulating a malicious file, requiring user interaction for exploitation.

What is CVE-2021-40786?

The vulnerability in Adobe Premiere Elements stems from insecure file handling, allowing threat actors to cause memory corruption, potentially leading to arbitrary code execution by taking advantage of a crafted file, leading to a high severity attack.

The Impact of CVE-2021-40786

The vulnerability has a CVSS base score of 7.8 (High severity) with a LOW attack complexity. The impact includes:

High availability, confidentiality, and integrity impact
No privileges required
User interaction necessary for exploitation
Local attack vector

Technical Details of CVE-2021-40786

Adobe Premiere Elements vulnerability details include:

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability involves a memory corruption issue in the handling of M4A files, potentially leading to arbitrary code execution.

Affected Systems and Versions

Adobe Premiere Elements version 20210809.daily.2242976 and earlier
Custom unspecified versions

Exploitation Mechanism

Exploiting this vulnerability requires a malicious actor to entice a user to interact with a specially crafted file, triggering the memory corruption flaw.

Mitigation and Prevention

For mitigation and prevention of CVE-2021-40786, users and organizations are advised to take the following steps:

Immediate Steps to Take

Update Adobe Premiere Elements to the latest version
Be cautious while opening files from unknown or untrusted sources
Implement robust security awareness training

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update software and applications to patches and security fixes
Employ endpoint protection solutions to detect and prevent memory corruption attacks
Monitor for unusual file behavior and promptly report any suspicious activity
Conduct periodic security assessments and audits

Patching and Updates

Adobe has released a security advisory addressing the vulnerability. Users should apply the latest patches provided by Adobe to mitigate the risk of exploitation.