CVE-2021-28600 in After Effects
Summary
by MITRE • 08/25/2021
Adobe After Effects version 18.2 (and earlier) is affected by an Out-of-bounds Read vulnerability when parsing a specially 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 • 05/03/2025
Adobe After Effects version 18.2 and earlier contains a critical out-of-bounds read vulnerability that stems from insufficient input validation during file parsing operations. This flaw resides in the application's handling of specially crafted files that contain malformed data structures, specifically within the parsing logic for project files or media assets. The vulnerability manifests when the software attempts to read memory locations beyond the allocated buffer boundaries, potentially exposing sensitive data from adjacent memory regions to an attacker. According to CWE-129, this represents an implementation flaw where the application fails to properly validate array indices or buffer limits before accessing memory locations. The security implications extend beyond simple information disclosure as this vulnerability can potentially reveal cryptographic keys, user credentials, or other sensitive system information stored in memory.
The exploitation scenario requires social engineering to trick users into opening a maliciously crafted file, making this a user-interaction dependent vulnerability. This attack vector aligns with ATT&CK technique T1204.002 where adversaries leverage malicious files to execute code or gain information through legitimate user interactions. The vulnerability operates at the application layer where After Effects processes project files, making it particularly dangerous in professional environments where users frequently open and work with files from various sources. Attackers can craft files that trigger the out-of-bounds read condition during normal file parsing operations, potentially leading to memory corruption or information leakage that could be leveraged in subsequent attacks. The impact is amplified by the fact that After Effects is commonly used in creative workflows where users frequently exchange files with colleagues, clients, or third-party vendors, increasing the attack surface and potential compromise vectors.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond immediate information disclosure to potentially enable more sophisticated attacks through information gathering. When the application reads beyond allocated memory boundaries, it may expose stack contents, heap data, or other sensitive information that could be used to construct more targeted exploits. This vulnerability particularly affects creative professionals who work with complex project files and media assets, making it a prime target for attackers seeking to compromise high-value user accounts. The memory disclosure could reveal patterns that aid in developing further exploits or provide insights into the application's internal structure and memory management. Organizations using After Effects in their production workflows should consider this vulnerability as a potential entry point for advanced persistent threats, especially when dealing with untrusted file sources or compromised supply chains.
Mitigation strategies should focus on immediate patching of affected versions, as Adobe has released security updates to address this vulnerability. System administrators should implement strict file validation policies and consider sandboxing mechanisms when processing untrusted After Effects files. Network-level controls such as email filtering and web application firewalls can help prevent the delivery of malicious files to users. Additionally, implementing least privilege principles for After Effects installations and regular security awareness training for users can reduce the attack surface. Organizations should also consider monitoring for unusual file access patterns or memory usage spikes that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of input validation and bounds checking in multimedia applications, where file parsing operations must account for malformed or malicious inputs to prevent memory corruption issues. Regular security assessments of creative software suites should include testing for similar out-of-bounds read conditions that could compromise user data and system integrity.