CVE-2021-28605 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 critical memory corruption vulnerability that falls under the CWE-121 CWE category for stack-based buffer overflow conditions. This vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation during the parsing of specially crafted files, creating a scenario where an attacker can manipulate memory layout through malformed input data. The flaw occurs within the application's file parsing engine, specifically when processing complex visual effects files that contain maliciously constructed data structures. When a victim opens such a crafted file, the application's memory management routines fail to properly handle the malformed input, leading to memory corruption that can be exploited to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the current user.
The exploitation of this vulnerability requires social engineering to convince a user to open a malicious file, making it a user-interaction dependent attack vector that aligns with ATT&CK technique T1204.202 for User Execution through Malicious File. The memory corruption occurs during the parsing phase where After Effects attempts to interpret and render visual effects data, creating a predictable memory layout manipulation opportunity. Attackers can craft files that cause buffer overflows or heap corruption within the application's memory space, potentially allowing them to overwrite critical program data or function pointers. This vulnerability represents a significant risk in environments where users frequently open third-party visual effects files or work with collaborative projects that may contain malicious content.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution, as it can enable attackers to establish persistent access within creative workflows that heavily rely on After Effects. Creative professionals often work with complex project files that may be shared across teams or downloaded from external sources, creating multiple attack vectors for exploitation. The vulnerability affects the application's core rendering and file processing capabilities, potentially allowing attackers to manipulate the entire creative pipeline. Organizations using After Effects for professional video production, animation, or visual effects work face elevated risk when users interact with untrusted files, as this vulnerability can be leveraged to gain complete control over the victim's system without requiring additional authentication or privileged access.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should include immediate patching of Adobe After Effects to version 18.3 or later, which contains the necessary fixes for the memory corruption issues. Organizations should implement strict file validation procedures for all visual effects files, particularly those received from external sources or collaborators. Network-based mitigations such as email filtering and web application firewalls can help prevent users from accessing malicious files through phishing campaigns or compromised websites. Security awareness training should emphasize the importance of not opening untrusted files, especially those related to creative software applications. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of keeping creative software updated, as these applications often handle complex binary formats that can contain multiple attack surfaces. System hardening measures including application whitelisting, sandboxing, and regular security assessments of creative workflows can help reduce the attack surface and limit potential damage from successful exploitation attempts.