CVE-2021-28602 in After Effects
Summary
by MITRE • 08/25/2021
Adobe After Effects version 18.2 (and earlier) is affected by a memory corruption vulnerability when parsing a specially crafted file. An unauthenticated attacker could leverage this vulnerability to achieve arbitrary code execution 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 memory corruption vulnerability that arises during the parsing of specially crafted files. This vulnerability falls under the category of heap-based buffer overflow as defined by CWE-122, where insufficient validation of input data leads to improper memory allocation and subsequent corruption. The flaw occurs within the application's file parsing mechanism when processing malformed input files, specifically affecting the handling of memory structures used during file interpretation. The vulnerability is classified as a remote code execution flaw because an attacker can craft a malicious file that, when opened by an unsuspecting user, triggers the exploitable condition.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability requires an attacker to prepare a malicious file that specifically targets the memory corruption pattern within After Effects' parsing routines. The attack vector is classified as a user interaction attack since the victim must actively open the crafted file for the exploit to succeed, making this a client-side attack that relies on social engineering or phishing techniques. The vulnerability allows an unauthenticated attacker to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the currently logged-in user, potentially leading to full system compromise if the user has elevated permissions. This type of attack aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and script interpreter and T1203 for Exploitation for Client Execution.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution as it represents a critical security flaw in creative software widely used in professional environments. Organizations using Adobe After Effects in broadcast, film, and media production workflows face significant risk since these applications often run with elevated privileges and may be used to process files from external sources. The vulnerability's exploitation requires minimal user interaction beyond opening the file, making it particularly dangerous in environments where users frequently open files from untrusted sources. Security researchers have noted that such vulnerabilities in creative applications are particularly concerning because they often have less frequent patching cycles and are used in high-value targets like media production companies. The memory corruption aspect of this vulnerability makes it particularly attractive to attackers due to the potential for reliable exploitation and the difficulty of detection during runtime operations.
Organizations should immediately implement mitigation strategies including restricting user permissions when opening files, implementing sandboxing techniques, and deploying email filtering solutions to prevent delivery of malicious files. The recommended approach involves updating to Adobe After Effects version 18.3 or later where this vulnerability has been addressed through proper input validation and memory management. System administrators should also consider implementing network-based detection measures that monitor for file types associated with this vulnerability and establish strict policies for handling external files. Security teams should conduct vulnerability assessments to identify systems running affected versions and prioritize patching efforts. Additionally, user education programs should emphasize the importance of verifying file sources before opening potentially malicious content, particularly in environments where social engineering attacks are common. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date software in creative applications where the attack surface includes file processing functions that are frequently targeted by adversaries.