CVE-2021-42271 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

Adobe Animate version 21.0.9 and earlier are affected by an out-of-bounds write vulnerability that could lead to arbitrary code execution. User interaction is required for exploitation by opening a malicious BMP file.

Understanding CVE-2021-42271

What is CVE-2021-42271?

Adobe Animate versions 21.0.9 and prior are susceptible to a critical out-of-bounds write vulnerability that, if exploited, could allow an attacker to execute arbitrary code within the context of the current user.

The Impact of CVE-2021-42271

The vulnerability has a CVSS base score of 7.8, indicating a high severity level. The exploitation requires user interaction, where a victim must open a specifically crafted BMP file, potentially leading to the execution of malicious code.

Technical Details of CVE-2021-42271

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability in Adobe Animate allows for an out-of-bounds write, creating an opportunity for an attacker to execute arbitrary code in the user's context.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: Adobe Animate
Vendor: Adobe
Versions affected: <= 21.0.9

Exploitation Mechanism

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

Mitigation and Prevention

Immediate Steps to Take

Update Adobe Animate to the latest version
Avoid opening BMP files from untrusted or unknown sources
Consider disabling BMP file support in the application settings if not essential

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update software and apply security patches promptly
Educate users about the risks of opening files from unknown sources

Patching and Updates

Adobe has released patches addressing this vulnerability, so ensure timely installation of updates.