CVE-2021-21091 in Adobe
Summary
by MITRE • 04/15/2021
Adobe Bridge versions 10.1.1 (and earlier) and 11.0.1 (and earlier) are affected by an Out-of-bounds read vulnerability when parsing a crafted file. An unauthenticated attacker could leverage this vulnerability to disclose sensitive memory information in the context of the current user. Exploitation of this issue requires user interaction in that a victim must open a malicious file.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/21/2021
Adobe Bridge versions 10.1.1 and earlier as well as 11.0.1 and earlier contain a critical out-of-bounds read vulnerability that stems from inadequate input validation during file parsing operations. This vulnerability falls under the CWE-125 weakness category, which specifically addresses out-of-bounds read conditions where an application attempts to read memory locations beyond the allocated buffer boundaries. The flaw occurs when the application processes a maliciously crafted file that contains malformed data structures, causing the parsing routine to access memory locations that do not belong to the intended data buffer. The vulnerability is classified as a remote code execution risk because an attacker can craft a file that triggers this condition without requiring authentication. However, the exploitation requires user interaction as the victim must explicitly open the malicious file within Adobe Bridge, making this a client-side attack vector that relies on social engineering or targeted delivery methods.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the application's file parsing engine failing to properly validate array indices or buffer boundaries when processing structured data within the crafted file. When Adobe Bridge attempts to parse the malicious input, it reads data beyond the allocated memory space, potentially exposing sensitive information stored in adjacent memory locations. This memory disclosure can reveal cryptographic keys, session tokens, or other confidential data that may be stored in memory immediately following the targeted buffer. The out-of-bounds read condition typically occurs during the parsing of file metadata or embedded content where the application assumes certain data structures will contain predictable amounts of information. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond simple information disclosure as the leaked memory contents could potentially contain enough sensitive data to aid in further exploitation attempts.
From an operational standpoint, this vulnerability presents significant risk to organizations that rely on Adobe Bridge for digital asset management and creative workflows. The requirement for user interaction limits the automated exploitation potential but does not eliminate the threat, particularly in environments where users frequently handle files from external sources or untrusted origins. The vulnerability affects not only individual users but also enterprise environments where Adobe Bridge is deployed across multiple workstations and systems. Security teams must consider the potential for this vulnerability to be leveraged in advanced persistent threat campaigns where attackers craft targeted phishing emails or malicious assets that appear legitimate to end users. The impact is particularly concerning in creative industries where users regularly open files from various sources, making the attack surface broader than typical enterprise applications.
Organizations should immediately implement mitigations including updating to Adobe Bridge versions that address this vulnerability, which would typically be version 11.1.0 or later depending on the specific product line. System administrators should also consider implementing file validation policies and restricting user permissions when opening files from unknown sources. The mitigation strategy should include user education about the risks of opening suspicious files and implementing security awareness training to reduce successful social engineering attempts. Additionally, network-based controls such as content filtering and sandboxing mechanisms can provide additional layers of protection by analyzing file contents before they reach the end user. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input validation and memory safety practices in application development, aligning with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for execution through scripting and T1566 for social engineering tactics. Organizations should also monitor for any indicators of compromise related to this vulnerability and consider implementing automated patch management systems to ensure timely remediation of similar vulnerabilities across their digital asset management infrastructure.