CVE-2021-44188 : Security Advisory and Response

CVE-2021-44188, assigned by Adobe, pertains to an out-of-bounds read vulnerability in Adobe After Effects versions 22.0 and earlier, including 18.4.2 and earlier.

Understanding CVE-2021-44188

What is CVE-2021-44188?

Adobe After Effects versions 22.0 and 18.4.2 are susceptible to an out-of-bounds read flaw, potentially allowing an attacker to execute code in the user's context by exploiting this memory structure issue.

The Impact of CVE-2021-44188

This vulnerability can result in the execution of arbitrary code by an attacker, requiring the user to interact with a malicious file for exploitation.

Technical Details of CVE-2021-44188

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability allows for an out-of-bounds read, potentially leading to read operations beyond allocated memory, facilitating the execution of code by leveraging the vulnerability.

Affected Systems and Versions

Adobe After Effects versions 22.0 and earlier, including 18.4.2 and earlier

Exploitation Mechanism

Requires user interaction through opening a malicious file

Mitigation and Prevention

Immediate Steps to Take

Update Adobe After Effects to the latest version
Avoid opening files from untrusted sources

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update software and apply security patches
Educate users on identifying and handling suspicious files

Patching and Updates

Apply the patch provided by Adobe to address this vulnerability.